To mark the 30th anniversary of his beloved Frontera Grill, Chef Rick Bayless is partnering with FamilyFarmed to throw the Good Food party of the year. On April 30, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the celebratory evening will feature renowned chefs from around the globe along with an inspirational forum exploring the Good Food movement!
The event is a joint effort of Chef Rick Bayless’ Frontera Farmer Foundation, which has made nearly $2 million in grants to Midwestern local farmers since 2003, and FamilyFarmed, a nonprofit that works with farm and food entrepreneurs to build the market for delicious, healthy, locally and sustainably produced food.
“We couldn’t just let this occasion go by without some major fanfare,” says Bayless. “And we thought it was only appropriate that we use this time to give back even more to the farmers who have dedicated their lives, and risked their livelihoods, to put food on our tables.”
Held in Griffin Court in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing—one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in Chicago this celebration will be a memorable precursor to the James Beard Foundation Awards the following day. Guests will enjoy food and drink from top-flight chefs from Chicago and beyond—all invited personally by Rick Bayless—transforming the beautiful venue into a Culinary All-Star Food Court.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., The Good Food Forum: A Bold Vision for the Future kicks off the evening in the Art Institute’s Rubloff Auditorium. Featuring a keynote speech by Rick Bayless, the high-impact panel discussion of the transformation of our nation’s food system will feature culinary luminaries including New York City’s Marcus Samuelsson, Chicago’s Paul Kahan and Washington D.C.’s Nora Pouillon. Other top chefs joining this Good Food affair are Ming Tsai, Stephanie Izard, Matthias Merges, Jason Hammel, Mindy Segal, Michael Mina, Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo, Josefina Santacruz, Frontera alum Anselmo Ramirez and more. In addition to the all-star chef lineup, all of Bayless’ Chicago restaurants will be offering tastings throughout the evening.
Proceeds from the event will benefit both Frontera Farmer Foundation and FamilyFarmed—two groups working to promote family farming and a healthier, more sustainable food system.
“Our shared values for a better food system and Good Food on Every Table make Rick Bayless’ Frontera Farmer Foundation and FamilyFarmed perfect philanthropic partners,” says Jim Slama, president and founder of FamilyFarmed. “The Frontera 30th Anniversary Celebration will generate tremendous new resources to help small farms and food entrepreneurs flourish throughout the Chicago region.”
The event is co-chaired by Steve Koch, Deputy Mayor for the City of Chicago; Cindy Moelis, President of the Pritzker Traubert FamilyFoundation; and Jim Murphy, Chairman of Local Foods, MightyVine Tomatoes, HandCut Foods, and Carbon Green LLC.
The Frontera 30th Anniversary Celebration is Sunday, April 30, 2017. The Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago is located at 230 S. Columbus St., Chicago, Illinois 60603. Individual tickets are priced at $500.
