The Taste of Chicago festival returned this year with an extensive lineup of local and international cuisine, live music, and new interactive experiences. The event, held in downtown Chicago over five days last week, showcased a mix of established vendors and emerging culinary talents alongside performances from notable musical artists.
The main stage featured performances by Beach Bunny, Original Koffee, Common, Babyface, and Julieta Venegas, while the Goose Island Stage highlighted Chicago-based musicians and rising artists. Festival organizers added a new Chef’s Stage this year, offering cooking demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and tastings led by prominent local chefs. Among those participating were Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, Carrie Nahabedian of Brindille, Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería, and Javauneeka Jacobs of Frontera Grill.
The food vendor lineup combined longtime participants and fresh faces. Daniel Will, founder of Daniel’s Test Kitchen and a newcomer to the festival, brought a menu inspired by his diverse cultural experiences, including jollof rice arancini and chicken and waffle skewers. Will’s culinary journey began in San Francisco, where he experimented with global cuisines before establishing himself as a full-time chef in Chicago.
Among veteran vendors, Eli’s Cheesecake maintained its prominent presence, having participated since the inaugural Taste of Chicago in 1980. Marc Schulman, president of Eli’s Cheesecake, noted the significance of celebrating the company’s history at the event. Offerings this year included the classic strawberry-topped plain cheesecake, chocolate-dipped frozen cheesecake “dippers,” and sample-sized portions for festival-goers.
Ponce, a Puerto Rican restaurant from the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, marked its third year at the festival. Founded by Marisol Meléndez nearly three decades ago and now operated by her daughters Anabel Duarte and Elba Jasso, Ponce featured traditional dishes such as arroz con gandules with roasted pork, jibaritos (plantain-based sandwiches), and a combination dish dubbed “Puerto Rico in a cup.” Duarte emphasized the importance of preserving generational recipes passed down from their mother.
The festival featured a broad selection of food vendors operating throughout the five days, including African Food Palace, The Tamale Guy, Kinnaree Thai Kitchen, Harold’s Chicken 55, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, and Yam Dum, among others. Pop-up vendors like Pretty Cool Ice Cream and JJ Thai Street Food appeared on select days, while a variety of food trucks and snack stands offered additional variety for attendees.
With this mix of music, culinary diversity, and hands-on chef interactions, Taste of Chicago continued to celebrate the city’s rich food culture and creative spirit, engaging residents and visitors alike in its annual downtown gathering.