Eat this, drink that: pie, chocolate, and Election Day

Eat this, drink that: pie, chocolate, and Election Day

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Mini pumpkin ginger pie pop by Truffleberry Market at Kenmore Craftsman Brand Live Experience in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

Friday, November 02

The Lycée Fall French Market at the Lycée Français de Chicago (aka the French International School) kicks off Friday night with a French Vietnamese preview party catered by Hai Yen. The menu includes a bánh cuốn nhân thịt appetizer (steamed rice crêpes with ground pork, shrimp, and wood ear mushrooms, served with pork patties), a gà kho sả ớt main course (lemongrass chicken), a chè chuối dessert (banana with tapioca, coconut milk, and peanuts), cà phê sữa (Vietnamese coffee), and much, much more. During the weekend market, a bistro éphémère will serve bœuf bourguignon and more, plus there will be crêpes. Check out the chef demos, especially the Butcher & Larder’s magnifique Monsieur Rob Leavitt. Proceeds from the market will be used to provide need-based scholarships for students. Admission $45 Friday dinner; $5 weekend market.

Saturday, November 03

Hyde Park’s “First Annual” South Side Pie Challenge at William H. Ray Elementary School is a celebration of fall and holiday pies. All pies will be available for purchase to the public after the winners are chosen at $3 per slice. All proceeds will be donated to the Hyde Park & Kenwood Hunger Programs. Judges will include the Hungry Hound himself, Steve Dolinsky; PieBox chef/owner Adrienne Blumthal; Kendall College Baking and Pastry Chef Instructor Belinda Brooks; and more. Admission FREE, $25 registration to enter pie in the contest, $3 per slice simply to eat.

Sunday, November 04

The Chicago Humanities Festival presents the United States of Chocolate at Francis W. Parker School, with WBEZ’s own Odette Yousef, chocolate maker Shawn Askinosie of Askinosie Chocolate, and Vosges rep Caroline Lubbers. Springfield, Missouri based Shawn Askinosie is a criminal defense lawyer turned chocolate maker, changing the world through chocolate, with frequent worldwide farmer visits, to bean to bar production. My desert island chocolate bar may be his Dark Chocolate + Malted Milk CollaBARation Bar, though I haven’t tasted his Bean to Bark Peppermint Bark yet. Yes, there will be samples. Admission $15 general, $5 teachers and students.

Monday, November 05

Lula Cafe’s inaugural “Chef’s” Dinner benefits Comfort Station in Logan Square. A six course fall feast will be created by neighborhood chef friends: Longman & Eagle’s Jared Wentworth, Yusho’s Matthias Merges, Telegraph’s Johnny Anderes, Top Chef’s Beverly Kim, forthcoming Fat Rice’s Abraham Conlon, and Lula’s own Jason Hammel. The dinner will be the first of an annual series to benefit arts and community organizations in Logan Square. Comfort Station is a multidisciplinary arts space housed in a historic way station that provides free, art, music, film, and literary programming to the local community. Admission $175 all-inclusive (cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, six-course dinner, wine, tax, and gratuity).

Tuesday, November 06

WBEZ’s Member Meet-Up: Election Edition at Schubas Tavern welcomes members and news junkies to watch election results on the big screen. Members get a free beer courtesy of Goose Island, plus there will be a free Red & Blue Champagne toast for all, and bring your “I Voted” stub to receive one free dessert with the purchase of any entrée. Remember your MemberCard! Admission FREE, food and drink additional.

Wednesday, November 07

WBEZ’s Morning Shift live remote broadcast: Post Election Edition at the Wishbone in the West Loop welcomes you to join host Tony Sarabia for day-after-the-election analysis, debriefing, and discussion — and remember the cheese grits. Admission FREE, food and drink additional.