Louisa Chu

Night at the museum

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 24, 2011

Oct. 24, 2011

The very rich are different from you and me. Not that you could tell at the Museum of Science and Industry's Columbian Ball Saturday night.

The Ball was named after the "world-renowned Exposition and annually plays a crucial role in funding the Museum's exciting and inspirational exhibitions and educational programs. Proceeds from the Columbian Ball go toward the Museum's Annual Fund, which in turn supports every aspect of the Museum experience," according to MSI.

Tuxedoed and ball gowned guests nibbled foie gras lollipops, studded with half a red grape, and finished with a sprinkle of Pop Rocks—I'm guessing the strawberry flavor. Graham Elliot Bowles popularized the combo when he was the chef at the Peninsula's Avenues.

Though I wore neither tux nor ball gown, I also had the Caprese salad skewered on a vinaigrette filled pipette; I have to say I'm not a fan of squeezeable plastic tubes.

…Read Full Entry

This week in food events

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 19, 2011

Oct. 19, 2011

The biggest news in Chicago food today—for some—was that Next: Childhood tickets went on sale just after midnight. At 12:26 a.m., the restaurant posted the announcement on their Facebook page. As of this morning they sold out the three month run, which begins Sunday.

If you're stuck in the storm tonight anywhere near Logan Square get yourself to Revolution Brewing for the WBEZ Member Meet Up. You'll find not only shelter and friends, but if you're a member, the first round's on Rev Brew.

…Read Full Entry

Chicago Colombian Exposition—in pizza

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 14, 2011

Oct. 14, 2011

I've been in Bogotá, Colombia this week on a culinary exchange. It's my first time not only in the city and country, but also Latin America.

The first thing I ate when I landed Monday night was, of all things, a Colombian pizza. The thin, cracker-edged crust held a few pleasantly chewy bubbles, and was topped with chorizo slices, ripe plantain, corn kernels, and finished with a sprinkle of cilantro. The common corn here is nothing like the sweet corn we mostly eat; the closest thing are heirloom varieties, with big, sturdy kernels.

It was all so unlike what I had at Burt's last week that it's hard to believe they're both called pizza—and a perfect first taste.

…Read Full Entry

The first rule of Mushroom Club

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 11, 2011

Oct. 11, 2011

The first rule of mushroom club is not all mushrooms are edible.

The second rule of mushroom club is NOT all mushrooms are edible.

And even mushrooms that are edible can still make you sick.

Those are actually not the rules of the Illinois Mycological Association, but it was my takeaway after attending my first meeting, with former IMA president and friend, Catherine Lambrecht.

Mushroom club meets monthly at the North Park Village Nature Center. The centerpiece of the meetings is the Specimen Table.

…Read Full Entry

Alton Brown: The 'F' word

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 7, 2011

Oct. 7, 2011

(Alton Brown; Lorelei Sandford; Vaughn Sandford, 8; Jared Wilson)

Good Eats host and creator Alton Brown stopped by town last night on what’s billed as his “last tour ever.” Brown retired the series in May, after 13 years and 249 episodes; it was not cancelled. Three new one-hour specials will air soon.

…Read Full Entry

World's best chef lands in Chicago

By: Louisa Chu | Oct. 4, 2011

Oct. 4, 2011

Ferran Adrià, the chef widely but arguably considered the best in the world, is in the middle of a book tour he kicked off in Chicago last week. WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified recorded the program so you can hear it online here.

The funny thing is you won’t hear him talk much about his new book, The Family Meal, a big, beautiful Phaidon cookbook of El Bulli staff meals. So it’s good thing I sat down with him before the event. We’ll post that video soon.

…Read Full Entry

Future 'Top Chef' contestant falls short in WBEZ cook-off

By: Louisa Chu | Sep. 26, 2011

Sep. 26, 2011

Five chefs. Five beers. Six hundred judges. WBEZ's sold-out Chicago Chef Battle kicked off the fourth annual Off-Air Event Series yesterday at Goose Island Brewery. Each chef used a different brew as an ingredient. Each guest tasted then voted.

I had the huge honor of awarding the grand prize package to the winning chef.

Heather Terhune, Executive Chef at Sable Kitchen & Bar served "312 beer & apple cider braised pork shoulder sliders with celery root-apple slaw". Heather competes in the upcoming season of Top Chef, it was just announced last week.


…Read Full Entry

Finding beauty in the beast: Asian carp

By: Louisa Chu | Sep. 15, 2011

Sep. 15, 2011

I hate Asian carp stories. They’re an “invasive species”, they say. They show photos of the biggest and ugliest, or videos of them jumping out of the water nearly beaning passing boaters.

But we know one culture’s “invasive species” is another’s dinner, and a lot of fish are big and ugly. The flying fish thing? OK that’s something else.

…Read Full Entry

Pages