Chicago Tribune Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Jun 08
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where to eat in Lake Geneva

8 Food and Drink Places to Visit in Lake Geneva

Posted by | Tourism, Travel | 9 Comments

8 Food and Drink Places to Visit in Lake Geneva – Our girls trip to Lake Geneva, a bustling lake front resort town, included visiting a variety of dining options from Neapolitan pizza to steakhouse to Italian bistro to winery to cooking school to sweet treat shops.

What do we always talk about on vacation? Where to eat! And our girls trip to Lake Geneva was no exception. We were looking forward to the various culinary excursions we were going to have on our trip. While this, of course, included restaurants, we were also going to do some wine tasting at a local winery and get our chef’s hat on at the Lake Geneva School of Cooking. … Read more

May 09
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Sous Vide Herbs de Provence Cod in Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker

Posted by | Appliances, Favorite Finds, Housewares, Recipes, Technology | 14 Comments

Sous Vide Herbs de Provence Cod in Wolf Gourmet Multi Cooker – How one machine’s precision, design and high quality construction makes cooking so much more efficient and fun. Wolf Gourmet Multi Function Cooker does it all from sear, saute, slow cooking, sous vide, rice two ways, and many more program options.

Have you wondered if there is an appliance that “can do it all” when it comes to cooking your meals? You know, one pot cooking that doesn’t make a mess of your whole kitchen. Well, I found it in my new Wolf Gourmet Multi-Function Cooker.

Wolf Gourmet Multi Function CookerI have typically been a minimalist when it comes to kitchen equipment.… Read more

Feb 03
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Talking Restaurant Reviews on Public Television’s Check Please

Posted by | Entertainment, Restaurants | No Comments

You are making plans to go out for dinner with a group of friends but aren’t sure where to go. So. Many. Choices. How to choose, how to choose?! If you live in Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and Phoenix, you tune in to Public Television’s Emmy Award winning show, Check, Please.

Or, if you are like me, you have a long list of must visit places that you have been jotting down as you watch each episode of Check, Please. This entertaining program, now in its 16th season in Chicago, showcases restaurant reviews made by a panel of three guests per show.… Read more

Jan 13
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10 Examples of Smart Home Technology for your Kitchen

Posted by | Housewares, Technology | 13 Comments

Smart Kitchen Tools

In 1999, Disney Channel released an original movie called Smart House. In this children’s movie, a teenage boy named Ben wins a competition where the prize is a fully automated home that can ultimately take care of itself. To Ben, this home means his dad will not have to re-marry. However, in typical movie, Ben’s dad falls in love. Ben, feeling betrayed, tampers with the smart home’s computer program and causes it to try to take over. Spoiler alert, the movie has an all-around happy ending.

When I first saw this movie way back when, I was in awe of the idea of an automated, or “smart,” home.… Read more

Dec 10
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Dining on the Freshest Seafood at Sullivan’s Steakhouse Naperville

Posted by | Restaurants | 5 Comments

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Going to a steakhouse as a non-meat eater can sometimes be concerning. Will the fish that they offer me be at the same standards as the steaks being served? Will I have choices or just that one line item of salmon? Had I gone to Sullivan’s Steakhouse from the start, I would never be asking these questions. The fish is outstanding.sullivans-board-roomIn the quaint downtown of Naperville, Illinois, you will find a Sullivan’s Steakhouse. There are many reasons to be celebrating at Sullivan’s in Naperville. From the newly remodeled restaurant with a contemporary feelsullivans-decor-picmto the holiday season to a girl’s gathering to family dinners to a work meeting.… Read more

Oct 18
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Abt Electronics Launches Luxury Kitchen Design Studio

Posted by | Appliances, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Retailer, Technology | 8 Comments

The kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter how beautiful your living room is, it’s the kitchen where everyone will congregate. If you are fortunate to be able to design your dream kitchen, then there is a new place for you to visit before making any purchases. Abt Electronics and Appliances launched their Inspiration Studio this past Thursday evening to a thrilled and in awe audience of media and interior designers.

Abt Inspiration Studio Inspiring KitchenIf you are not familiar with this retailer, they are recognized throughout the country for their outstanding customer service. This family owned company first launched in 1936 by Jewel and David Abt and has remained in the family all these years later.… Read more

Oct 07
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Dining and Drinking at Chicago Gourmet 2016

Posted by | 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 9th 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

Jul 27
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9 Best Chicago Ice Cream, Custard and Gelato Shops

Posted by | Favorite Finds, Foods | 13 Comments

To this day, whenever someone asks you to get ice cream, does the ice cream jingle automatically start playing in your head? You know, the one that goes: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” I had never put much thought into why I think about that jingle or when I started reciting it until my friend must have finally heard it enough to ask me why. It got me thinking… after a few good reminiscing minutes, I proposed this question to my friend:

When you were a kid and you heard that beloved ice cream truck song, what did you do?… Read more

May 31
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Trends from the Sweets and Snacks Expo 2016

Posted by | Education, Trade Show | 5 Comments

img_9663The 2016 Sweets and Snacks Expo was held at McCormick Place this past week. Expanding to two halls this year to accommodate the more than 750 exhibitors showcasing their products, the show welcomed over 16,000 industry professionals from over 90 countries.

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Trends from the Sweets and Snacks Expo 2016

There were a number of themes that stood out this year with healthy options standing out more than anything. Whether it’s the main ingredient or a flavor contribution, brands are now using quinoa, kale, chickpeas, broccoli and beans to name a few. 

sweets-and-snacks-2016-chips-picm

Mango coated in dark chocolate and coconut found in many varieties throughout the show.sweets-and-snacks-healthy-fruit-picmOrganic options, rice and vegetables crackers and seeds continue the expansion of healthy choices. … Read more

Apr 25
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New Restaurant Adventures in Chicago

Posted by | 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