According to published reports, the city is asking for bids to hopefully get a better deal so the lakefront festival can stop losing money.
The Illinois Restaurant Association has held the contract for 31 years and will now have to win the bidding contract.
Revenue and attendance at the Taste have dropped in recent years.
Past proposals to charge admission to the Taste were turned down.
Last year, the city handed the Taste to the Chicago Park District, which paid $338,000 for management at Taste.
