—Chef Jose Garces again challenges local chefs to prepare the perfect paella at the 3rd Annual Paella Cook-Off at Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 25, 6-9 p.m. The chefs competing in the contest—an ancillary event produced in conjunction with Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet—includes Salero's Ashlee Aubin, The Gwen's Angelina Bastidas, Travelle's Ricardo Jarquin, The Signature Room's Cardel Reid and Ada St.'s Joanna Stachon. Admission is $45-$65; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mercat-a-la-planxa-3rd-annual-paella-cook-off-tickets-26730880784.
—After approximately being open for one year, Cantina 1910—a Mexican restaurant at 5025 N. Clark St., the former site of T's Restaurant and Bar—has closed. ( Cafe 1910 has also closed. ) A note read, in part, " Unfortunately, the rapidly changing labor market for the hospitality industry has resulted in immediate, substantial increases in payroll expenses that we could not absorb through price increases. In the last two years, we have seen a 27% increase in the base minimum wage, a 60% increase in kitchen wages, and a national shortage of skilled culinary workers. ... Coupled with increasing Chicago and Cook County taxes and fees that disproportionately impact commercial properties and businesses, we are operating in an environment in which we do not see a path forward."
—Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., will celebrate its Sixth Annual Shuck Off competition ( a free event ) on Sunday, Aug. 28, 3-6 p.m. The competition will feature local chefs from Chicago's top restaurants as they compete for a $1,200 cash prize. There will also be a "Pre-Shuck Shrimp Boil" at 12 p.m.; the $25/person ( not including tax or gratuity ) ticket includes all-you-can-eat shrimp, corn and potatoes. See TheFrontierChicago.com/events-tickets.
—Replay Andersonville, 5358 N. Clark St., will celebrate its one-year anniversary in September with a couple contests. First, four diners will win brunch ( for two ) once a month for one calendar year. There are two ways to enter, including signing up at Replay Andersonville or posting a photo of your favorite Replay brunch dish to Instagram with the tag #BeerBourbonBrunch. ( Winners will be chosen Sunday, Sept. 18 ). Also, people can create a new signature burger for the menu by completing an entry form at Replay; the winner will be announced on National Cheeseburger Day, also Sunday, Sept. 18.
—Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., has added Executive Chef Leonard Delgado to its staff. His culinary career began shortly after when he finished high school to start an apprenticeship with certified master pastry chef Max Ackermann in Switzerland, specializing in French and Swiss pastries. Shortly following, Delgado earned an executive pastry chef certification from the American Culinary Federation in 1986.
—Chicago's Dovetail Brewery, 1800 W. Belle Plaine Ave., is expanding its taproom hours again. Dovetail's taproom has extended its hours Wednesday through Saturday and will now also be open on Sundays and Tuesdays. Visit Facebook.com/dovetailbrewchi or call 773-683-1414 to find out if food trucks are going to be serving on a particular day.
—Honey Butter Fried Chicken, 3361 N. Elston Ave., is teaming with Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits, 2051 N. California Ave. and 4947 N. Damen Ave., for the third installment of their Clucker Collaboration. The two teams join forces to create the Bang Bang Hot! Sandwich, available at Honey Butter Fried Chicken through Sunday, Aug. 28. See HoneyButter.com .
—At Travelle Kitchen and Bar, 330 N. Wabash Ave., Chef Ricardo Jarquin is creating a special four-course menu for $45/person each Wednesday night on Aug. 24-Oct. 26 with ingredients picked up that morning from vendors at the Green City Market. Jarquin's menu will change every week and will be available to guests until ingredients are gone. To make a reservation, call 312-923-7705 or visit TravelleChicago.com .
—Family-owned and -operated Chicago pizzeria Home Run Inn expands its presence in the Chicagoland area with the opening of its ninth location in Berwyn, at 6825 W. Cermak Rd. Home Run Inn Berwyn will open its doors on a phased schedule, with carryout service introduced on Thursday, Sept. 1; dinner service on Tuesday, Sept. 6; and lunch on Saturday, Sept. 13. See HomeRunInnPizza.com .
—Oregon's Deschutes Brewery raised $70,000 on Aug. 6 at its Logan Square pop-up event. The one-day-only event donated 100 percent of proceeds to Alliance for the Great Lakes ( which will use the funds to help protect and restore the Great Lakes ) and Logan Square Preservation.
—Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St., is heating things up and going global with a new menu inspired by the hottest ethnic flavors. Beginning Monday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 2, Hard Rock Cafe Chicago will offer a limited-time Smoke, Fire & Spice menu, with items such as harissa chicken, kaibi shrimp, satay beef and Jamaican jerk pork Additionally, Hard Rock Cafe Chicago will offer jumbo wings tossed with your choice of available Smoke, Fire & Spice flavors. Also, there will be Bold Sips cocktails such as Spiced Cinnamon Mule and Blackberry Peach Bramble. See HardRock.com/Chicago.
—On Monday, Sept. 5, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will offer Labor Day specials. Among said specials are half of a fried chicken, served with Bad Seed hot sauce ( $17 ); and steamed lobster ( $37 ). Specials will come with sweet corn on the cob and cole slaw. See OysterBah.com .
—Mid-Autumn Festival, also referred to as Moon Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday, will take place Thursday, Sept. 15. In celebration, The Peninsula Chicago's Shanghai Terrace, 108 E. Superior St., will be selling mooncakes, round pastries filled with egg custard, which are made individually by Chef de Cuisine Elmo Han. Orders can be placed starting this week and can be picked up from Shanghai Terrace Aug. 15-Sept. 15. ( They are $40 for a four-piece box and $78 for an eight-piece box, and they're on the menu at Shanghai Terrace for $8 apiece. )
—Drink Local—a one-day showcase of domestic, U.S. distilleries, breweries and wineries with a special focus on Chicago's popular bar and restaurant scene—will take place Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UIC, 625 S. Ashland Ave. ( Food will be available for purchase ) Tickets are $60 ( general ) and $80 ( VIP ); visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drink-local-chicago-presented-by-social-power-hour-tickets-26494827743.
—The 28th Annual Oyster Fest Presented by Shaw's Crab House returns to Chicago on Friday, Sept. 30, 3-10 p.m., at the corner of Hubbard and Rush streets in River North. Oyster Fest will feature six varieties of oysters—both East Coast and West Coast—on the half shell as well as other festival favorites like king crab bites, lobster rolls, clam chowder, fish tacos and more; there will also be local blues bands including headliner Bumpus. Admission is $20-$50; visit OysterFestChicago.com .
—Identita Golose—one of the most prestigious international culinary organizations highlighting the best of contemporary cuisine—returns to the United States for the third annual Identita Chicago on Oct. 1-2. Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St., will host the event, which features some of Italy's most revered chefs along with esteemed U.S. chefs, all from prominent Michelin-starred restaurants. Admission is $75 for the Oct. 1 master classes, and $150 for the Oct. 2 lunch; see IdentitaGolose.com .
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