(RELEASE)Free cooking will demonstrations take place four times a day on the Flower Show's Garden Gourmet stage. Chicago gardeners and foodies will have a chance to get first-hand tips from chefs Paul Katz of the new Harry Caray's Tavern on Navy Pier, Gale Gand of Tru, Bernie Laksowski of Park Grill at Millennium Park and Ina Pinkney of Ina's.
The Garden Gourmet stage will also feature Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno, Randy Zweiban of Province, and Hearty Boys Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith. Some of the other noteworthy chefs include Jill Barron of Mana Food Bar, Jo Kaucher and Kim Gracen of Chicago Diner, Michael Koury of Rebar at Trump Tower Chicago, Dino Lubbat of Dinotto, Brian Huston of The Publican, Didier Durand of Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar and Carlyn Berghoff of Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group.
This is the 16th year for The Chicago Flower & Garden Show, the annual homage to horticulture and landscape; the show presents the best of landscape design and the latest in sustainable and green products. Among the show's 25-plus themed gardens will be those pairing several of Chicago's acclaimed theaters with top Midwest landscapers in keeping with the 2010 show theme: "Cultivating Great Performances." Participating theaters include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre Company and The Goodman Theatre.
Returning again this year will be the popular, free educational seminars, interactive gardening workshops and container gardening classes. The inspirational Tablescapes displays also return along with the Children's Activity Garden. Local gardeners can participate in or view entries of the newly established horticulture competitions in houseplant, photography and window box design categories. They can shop the Marketplace filled with garden and eco-friendly items.
The 2010 Chicago Flower and Garden Show runs from Saturday, March 6, through Sunday, March 14 at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, Chicago. Cooking demonstrations will be held daily. For a schedule of when the chefs appear, visit chicagoflower.com and click on "Garden Gourmet."
Planning your visit to the Flower and Garden Show
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Adult admission is $15 weekdays and $17 weekends. Tickets for children 4-12 years are $5 every day. Tickets can be ordered online at chicagoflower.com, where no service fee is charged. They also can be purchased at the door. Group discounts start at 15 or more tickets. They can be ordered by calling 773-435-1250, or by downloading a Group Reservation Form at chicagoflower.com, which also has information on special hotel packages.
All-day discounted parking is $14. For details about CTA bus service to Navy Pier, call 836-7000 (any local area code) or visit the CTA Web site at transitchicago.com. For Metra travel information, go to metrarail.com for train schedules and phone numbers of the various rail lines serving downtown Chicago.
CHICAGO FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW
Saturday, March 6 to Sunday, March 14
Navy Pier, Chicago
chicagoflower.com
