Say Yes, Chef!

Join Us on Saturday, June 14 for Exclusive Tastes and Networking

Say yes to celebrating our industry and supporting our community at James Beard Awards Weekend.

Say Yes, Chef! is an exclusive event where chefs and bartenders, recognized for their talent as James Beard Award nominees, past winners, and Chicago’s best, cast aside their competition and come together to support their own.

Guests will get to rub elbows with some of the best food and beverage talent across the nation in an intimate setting, see live cooking up close, and bid on one-of-a-kind experiences at a live auction.

Event Details

Saturday, June 14, 2025
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Wildman BT
3020 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

Say Yes

Enjoy Exquisite Tastings From:

Ying Chang and Robert Adamson, Strong Water Anaheim
- Finalist, Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program (2025)
D’Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
Stephen Gillanders, S.K.Y, Apolonia, and Valhalla
Chris Jung, Maxwells Trading
- Finalist, Best Chef, Great Lakes (2025)

Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir, Mirra
Sarah Mispagel, Loaf Lounge
Julia Momosé, Kumiko
- Finalist, Outstanding Bar (2025) and winner, Beverage with Recipes Book (2022)
Lamar Moore, Etc.
- Semifinalist, Best Chef, Great Lakes (2025)

Daniel de Oliviera, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Illinois
Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Art Smith, Chef Art Smith’s Reunion and Blue Door Kitchen & Garden
- Winner, Humanitarian of the Year (2007) and General Book (2002)

And our host, Ji Suk Yi

Ji Suk Yi is co-host of Spotlight Chicago airing at 1 p.m. weekdays on WGN-TV. Her two decades of media experience include work in television, print and radio, including ABC7’s Windy City LIVE for seven seasons, the Chicago Sun-Times series “The Grid,” and contributing to the launch of cable news network NewsNation. A native of western North Carolina, Ji is a first-generation immigrant and life-long food enthusiast, who enjoys living in one of the best food cities in the world, Chicago. She was honored to host the virtual James Beard Awards in 2020.

About Giving Kitchen

Giving Kitchen, a national 501(c)3 helps food service workers in crisis, in all 50 states.

Giving Kitchen helps in two ways:

• Financial assistance, based on need, due to an illness, injury, death, or house disaster.

• Stability Network to connect clients to low or no cost social services in their community.

How We Help

Upcoming Events

Giving Kitchen comes to Chicago

Join Us on Saturday, June 14 for Exclusive Tastes and Networking

Event Details

Enjoy Exquisite Tastings From:

And our host, Ji Suk Yi

RSVP by June 12

About Giving Kitchen

Thank You Sponsors

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Giving Kitchen comes to Chicago

Say Yes, Chef!

Join Us on Saturday, June 14 for Exclusive Tastes and Networking

Event Details

Enjoy Exquisite Tastings From:

And our host, Ji Suk Yi

RSVP by June 12

About Giving Kitchen

Thank You Sponsors

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