InspiringKitchen.com Champagne Archives

Jun 06

The Ultimate Girls Trip to Lake Geneva

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Tourism, Travel | 2 Comments

The Ultimate Girls Trip to Lake Geneva – Celebrating friendship on a girls trip to this bustling resort town located right on the lake offering boat tours, innovative dining options, shopping, golf and so much more.

There is something so very special about having girlfriends. The ones who know your deepest secrets, support your hopes and dreams and make you laugh till you cry. When our crazy, busy lives get in the way of friendship, we know we have to make a plan to get everyone together and reconnect. Best way possible is a girls trip where our real lives are temporarily left behind and new memories are created. … Read more

Oct 13

Chicago Gourmet Turns Ten

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Festival, Restaurants | 10 Comments

Chicago Gourmet Turns Ten – Celebrating ten years, attendees enjoyed bites from prestigious Chicago restaurants, chefs, wine and spirit brands at festival.

The HOTTEST event of the year, both literally and figuratively, took place in Chicago’s Millennium Park September 23-24. Chicago Gourmet, celebrating its 10 year anniversary, opened to a weekend of soaring temperatures, blue skies and big crowds. The 94 degree temperatures made an already warm and welcoming group of people even more so.

Opening ceremonies for this momentous occasion included Illinois Restaurant Association president and CEO, Sam Toia, Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a wealth of Chefs from near and far.… Read more

May 05

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2017: 10 Creative Ideas

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Holiday | 13 Comments

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2017

If you are lucky enough to have a woman in your life to call Mom or a lady who has cared for you in the way only a Mother can, then you know her special day is fast approaching. Are you ready? In reality, we should be celebrating Mom every day for all she does for us, right?! But officially, her day is Sunday, May 14.

Finding the perfect gift that describes your relationship with your Mom can be overwhelming. To help inspire you to choose the perfect gift just for her, Inspiring Kitchen has curated a special collection for you to browse.… Read more

Jan 09

Experience The Peninsula Hotel’s Chocolate at the Pen

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Dessert, Hotel, Travel | 21 Comments

For most people, there is nothing better in this world when it comes to sweet treats than chocolate. In any form. Rich, decadent chocolate made from only the finest cacao beans.So, it should be no surprise that the elegant Peninsula Hotel Chicago is offering an adventure in to the world of chocolate from the eyes of a world-class pastry chef. Chocolate at the Pen is a chocolate bar like no other. Executive Pastry Chef and Chocolate Sommelier, Dimitri Fayard, sets the stage for an evening of sweet indulgences that range from desserts to chocolate truffles to a hot chocolate station to homemade ice cream all presented to appeal to your eyes first.… Read more

Nov 17

LuxeHome Chill at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Culinary Event, Fundraiser | 5 Comments

luxehome-chill-merchandise-mart-inspiring-kitchen

As someone who works in the home design and cooking space, attending LuxeHome Chill each November is one of the highlights of the year for me. This year, we celebrated the 10th annual LuxeHome Chill International Wine and Culinary event. Held at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, designer showrooms filled with the most gorgeous housewares, fabrics and lighting grace the vignettes which are the backdrop for over 50 world class chefs and over 150 wines to be offered to guests. luxehome-housewares-picm This premier food festival is presented in cooperation with Wine Spectator Magazine with the evening’s proceeds benefiting three Chicago charities:

The Lynn Sage Foundation – Dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer, this foundation has raised over $2 million to support the Lynn Sage Scholars Program which is 100% local to Chicago and fully research based. … Read more

Oct 07

Dining and Drinking at Chicago Gourmet 2016

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Culinary Event | 5 Comments

The Fall season brings many wonderful things to Chicagoans. And nothing is more exciting for someone who loves the culinary scene more than Bon Appetit presents Chicago Gourmet. In fact, this is the 9^th year of this upscale, diverse, educational, fun and delicious food festival.

chicago gourmet 2016 inspiring kitchen

(Aperol Spritz – Aperol, Mionetto Prosecco, Splash of Soda)

Taking place in Millennium Park, Chicago Gourmet offers attendees a full weekend filled with activities, adventures and great food. You will find chef demonstrations, interactive wine and cocktail seminars, the best of the best restaurants offering samples of their creations, wineries, spirit purveyors and breweries pouring their specialties, food brands sampling new products, cookbooks being introduced and parties like Friday night’s Hamburger Hop and the exclusive Grand Cru tasting.… Read more

Apr 25

New Restaurant Adventures in Chicago

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Restaurants | 10 Comments

In any big city, the opportunity to check out new restaurants is an ongoing adventure. Over the course of the last few months, I have been invited to visit some really wonderful places that I wanted to share with you. Each place has its own vibe and ambience giving you lots of choices for a great meal or fun night out.

Beef & Barley

If you are looking for a neighborhood joint that is comfortable and welcoming but with seriously good food, then, you need to try Beef & Barley. We visited for brunch and from the Bloody Mary’s with the endless bacon option to the punch bowls with a serious kick to the Mimosa Bar, you will start that morning off right.… Read more

Oct 16

How to Build a Home Bar

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Bar, Education, Entertaining, Entertainment, Favorite Finds, Housewares | 16 Comments

Making cocktails for your friends and family doesn’t need to be intimidating or complicated. You are all set in the kitchen with your ingredients and cookware, but what about your home bar? Do you have everything you need? Or is the question, do you know what you need? Having the basic components and equipment available is a really good start. Knowing how often we like to entertain this time of year, it seems appropriate to showcase how simple it is to build a home bar.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Mixologist Extraordinaire, Lynn House. Lynn shared her recommendations on what you might want to consider for your home bar.… Read more

Oct 06

Food and Wine Event: Chicago Gourmet

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Culinary Event, Foods, Illinois Restaurant Association, Restaurants, Wine | 5 Comments

Just 7 years ago, Chicago launched its first food and wine event known as Chicago Gourmet. This past weekend, Bon Appetit presented Chicago Gourmet, a celebration of food and wine, showcasing more than 190 of Chicago’s finest restaurants and chefs, as well as hundreds of renowned vintners, spirit makers and premium breweries from around the world.

If you are into the food scene, you may already be familiar with food and wine shows that are held in Aspen or South Beach. They are shows filled with exciting restaurants, chefs both local and national and trends in the wine and food industries.… Read more