First Bites Bash returns Jan. 23, 2025: tickets on sale now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com
Janet Isabelli, janet@isabellipartners.com

FIRST BITES BASH RETURNS JANUARY 23 – TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Celebrate the city’s award-winning culinary community at the popular kick-off to the 18th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week

CHICAGO – December 4, 2024 – Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization, announced tickets are now on sale for First Bites Bash, the celebratory kick-off event for the 18th annual Chicago Restaurant Week. In keeping with annual tradition, the event will be held Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Chicago’s Field Museum from 6 to 9 p.m.

“First Bites Bash and Chicago Restaurant Week are one of our city’s most celebrated winter traditions,” said Rich Gamble, Choose Chicago Interim President and CEO. “With more restaurants on track to participate than ever before, the breadth of cuisines and neighborhoods represented throughout Restaurant Week – and on this special night – provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience our city’s prominence as a leading culinary destination. There isn’t a more exciting way to start the year.”

Award-winning chef Soo Ahn of Adalina – located in Chicago’s iconic Gold Coast neighborhood – steps into the spotlight, serving as the Host Chef for the star-studded party. Guests will have the opportunity to experience exclusive tasting portions from more than 60 restaurants spanning two floors showcasing their respective Chicago Restaurant Week menus, as well as wine, beer, spirits, entertainment and more.

“I’m thrilled to serve as the 2025 host chef for First Bites Bash,” said Chef Ahn. “It’s such a great opportunity for Chicagoans to get a taste of what our city’s chefs are all about and experience the incredible flavors coming to life during Chicago Restaurant Week. It’s going to be a delicious kickoff!”

Choose Chicago is pleased to continue its longstanding support of impactful organizations by donating a portion of event proceeds from First Bites Bash. This year, a donation will be made to the James Beard Foundation, a long-time partner, furthering its commitment to championing a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving independent restaurant industry.

“We’re honored to be a beneficiary of the First Bites Bash and deeply grateful to Choose Chicago for supporting our Good Food for Good mission,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “This event not only supports our work to champion a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving independent restaurant industry—but also celebrates the extraordinary culinary talent that makes Chicago’s dining scene truly exceptional.”

Participating restaurants in First Bites Bash include both longtime Chicago Restaurant Week participants and newcomers alike representing Chicago’s vibrant communities. The complete list of First Bites Bash participants is available here.

A limited number of Flash Sale tickets are now available for $115 per person at firstbitesbash.com until tickets in that category run out. Limited Early Bird tickets will then go on sale for $130 per person, and then General Admission tickets to First Bites Bash will become available for $150 per person until event capacity is reached or until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025. New this year, a limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $200, which includes all the perks of a First Bites Bash general admission ticket, plus 30 minute early access, a gift, unique VIP food offerings and exclusive tastings from Trinchero Heritage Collection – California, Trinchero Heritage Collection – Italy, Jose Cuervo Reserva la Familia, and Proximo Spirits Luxury Tequila.

First Bites Bash 2025 is generously sponsored by Today’s Variety, 101.9 THE MIX, 97.1 The Drive – Chicago’s Classic Rock, Throwback 100.3 – All The Hits Of The 90s & 2000s, Acqua Panna, American Airlines, Hubbard Inn, James Beard Foundation, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), S.Pellegrino and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

First Bites Bash will serve as the kick-off for Chicago Restaurant Week 2025, taking place January 24 – February 9. A full list of participating restaurants along with menus and reservation information for Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 will be released next week.

Enthusiasts are encouraged to follow @ChooseChicago

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About Choose Chicago

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city, its residents and our partner business community. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X/Twitter and tag #FirstBitesBash and #ChicagoRestaurantWeek. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.

About Chicago Restaurant Week

Taking place January 25 – February 9, 2025, Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 offers visitors and local foodies a meaningful opportunity to experience some of the area’s most sought-after restaurants. For 17 consecutive, dining-packed days, participating dining establishments will showcase specially curated prix fixe menus with prices set at $30 for brunch and lunch and $45 and/or $60 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, gratuity). Lending an ideal reason to explore Chicago’s nationally lauded culinary scene, diners can experience new, showstopping restaurants and familiar favorites alike throughout the city’s vibrant communities. Visit eatitupchicago.com on Wednesday, December 11 to view participating restaurants, menus and make reservations online.

About Chef Soo Ahn

Soo Ahn believes that food, at its best, is a culinary adventure and pushes boundaries in his cooking to offer unique concepts for guests to indulge in. He takes the drive and competitiveness he learned from his first career as a professional golfer and translates that into the kitchen.

He finds inspiration through his grandmother’s traditional recipes, childhood snacks, fast food chains and travel experiences across the U.S., South America and Korea. Working throughout Michelin-rated restaurant kitchens, he retained a Michelin Star as the Executive Chef at Band of Bohemia in Chicago. Now, as the Executive Chef at Adalina, Soo and the team bring Italian favorites to Chicago’s Gold Coast, reimagining them using unique flavors and techniques.

Within a year of being open, Adalina has attained multiple accolades from Eater Chicago for Best Dish and Best Meal, is one of the 38 Essential Restaurants in Chicago, and was nominated as the Best New Restaurant of the Year by the Jean Banchet Awards. Outside of the kitchen, he recently got married and still plays golf as much as possible, one day hoping to play with Thomas Keller, David Chang and Tiger Woods.

Visit adalinachicago.com.

About the James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to leading chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence. Our guiding principle, Good Food for Good®, informs our vision of a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable independent restaurant industry that stands as a cornerstone of American culture and drives towards a better food system. For nearly 40 years, JBF has been instrumental in recognizing, amplifying, educating, and training the individuals who shape American food culture. Today, our mission comes to life through the prestigious James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused programming, advocacy and policy initiatives, and exciting culinary events and partnerships around the country—including at our new Platform by JBF® event space in New York City. Learn more at jamesbeard.org, sign up for our emails, and follow @beardfoundation on social media.