Warm weather and massive amounts of food go hand-in-hand!

After another agonizing winter, it’s finally time for Chicagoans to step outside and enjoy all that our fair city has to offer. Here at GH, we know things are taking a turn for the better when we can look out of our conference room windows and see “The Bean” reflecting the sun and skyline, as opposed to being covered in snow. To celebrate the warm weather, here’s a quick guide to some of the best May/June Chicago festivals, covering art, live music, and of course…food!

Looptopia, May 2

An all-night celebration in Chicago’s Loop; includes dance, theatre, film, music, art and activities for kids and families.

Cinco De Mayo, May 2-4

Lawndale neighborhood festival, complete with a carnival, food and live music, and a parade on Sunday.

Green City Market, Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 14

Chicago’s only sustainable farmers’ market features everything from fresh produce to artisanal cheeses and breads. A favorite among local chefs and recently featured on “Top Chef: Chicago.”

Great Chicago Places & Spaces, May 17-18

A weekend of appreciation for Chicago architecture and design, with over 200(!) free tours and events.

Randolph Street Market Festival, starting May 24

Antiques, collectibles, jewelry and great food can all be found at this weekly festival in West Town.

Mayfest, May 29-June 1

Brats and beer in Lincoln Square, culminating in a Maypole Dance on Sunday.

Chicago Blues Fest, June 5-8

The city’s largest music festival, now in its 25th year! A can’t-miss event.

Ribfest, June 7-8

What started as a North Center block party has grown to a full-out street festival. Come hungry: 65,000 pounds of ribs will be served during the weekend!

Printer’s Row Book Fair, June 7-8

Browse through treasure troves of new and used books alike, specialty and antique books, signings and panel discussions and events at Harold Washington Library.

Taste of Chicago, June 27-July 6

The biggest and most well-known of Chicago’s food festivals – more food-on-a-stick than you can…well…shake a stick at. Wear lots of sunscreen and bring a (reusable) water bottle.

Chicago Pride Parade, June 29

Picnics and parties all over the lakefront, with the famous parade running through Boystown and into Lincoln Park.

Bike Chicago, May – September

Burn off the calories from the food you consumed at the neighborhood festivals by participating in races and group rides.

For more information, check out:
http://chicago.metromix.com/
http://www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents

Posted by Heather Kaplan

Many of us may remember the classic puppet Kermit the Frog exclaim “It’s not easy being green!” In today’s world it’s not only becoming easy “to be green” (environmentally conscious) but, it’s a necessity. The efforts at global and local levels are relevant in a way that cannot be ignored and the foodservice industry is taking note. For those attending the upcoming National Restaurant Association Show, May 17-20, 2008 (Chicago, IL) there will be a plethora of free educational sessions to choose from with regard to this topic:

• Steve Ells on Food With Integrity: Creating a Sustainable Food Supply — Monday, May 19, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• 5 Things Operators Must Know About Energy Efficiency — Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Marketing to Conserving Customers: A Guide to Operating Green with a Triple Bottom Line — Monday, May 19, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Casual Dining Goes Organic — Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Making Your Seafood Choices More Sustainable — Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• New Ways to Power Your Business — Monday, May 19, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Organic Growth: Being Green to Build Customer Loyalty — Sunday, May 18, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Lean, Green & Clean: Environmental Practices in Collegiate Foodservice — Tuesday, May 20, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• It's All About Results: Sustainability in the Food Chain — Emphasis on Animal Products — Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

While we’re on the topic, is Earth Day (April 22) on your calendar? Perhaps 2008 is the year that we all start to take this idea a little more seriously. Something to think about. Or, if you need to chew on it and are in Chicago, step out (literally – to reduce your carbon footprint) to Café Matou in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area. They will be serving French country food prepared with organic, local, or seasonal products.

Posted by Liz Giannini

The team at Gordon Hanrahan proudly announces our newest client, Johnsonville® Sausage! All of us here at GH are thrilled about our new partnership with America’s #1 brand of sausage.

As its business-to-business agency of record, Gordon Hanrahan will help grow this well-known retail brand in foodservice. The equity Johnsonville has in the minds of consumers is a great platform on which to build. Advertising and PR, selling and training materials, and key-account programming are just a few of the marketing and communication initiatives the team is developing.

It’s sincerely our pleasure to have them on our client roster, and we look forward to a successful partnership with Johnsonville in both the short and long term.

Now it’s your turn to “Flavor Up” with Johnsonville by visiting www.johnsonville.com or calling 920-453-4848.

Be sure to check back for more “new news” in the Gordon Hanrahan world. Thanks for stopping by!

Posted by Stacy Craig