Foodie Fridays: 5 Chicago Fall Food Festivals You Really Should Attend

Today is the official Autumnal Equinox. Read that First Day of Fall.  So, here's what you're gonna do.  Make plans (starting tonight) to attend one or more of Chicago's Best Fall Food Festivals. You're welcome!

1. Chicago Gourmet 10th Anniversary Edition - From a Farm-To-Table Dinner on the 606 with Rick Bayless, to Hamburger Hop, to Sweets and Beats with Mindy Segal to gourmet ball park fare at Wrigley Field, you're gonna want to be a part of this year's 10th Anniversary celebrations.  Oh, and there will still be the original Saturday and Sunday tastings and demos you've come to love.  Grab your tickets here and party on!

2.  BeSpoke Taste -  Before the grand finale of Cochon 555 takes place, food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to participate in a unique experience.  New to the table this year is Bespoke: An Exploration of Taste & Thought. The Oxford Food Symposium-curated day (with the American Friends and Piggy Bank Charities) launches on September 30th.  Guests include renowned cookbook author, writer and photographer Naomi Duguid (Taste of Persia, Hot Sour Salty Sweet), and U of C - Berkeley Food Institute Director, Nina F. Ichikawa. Themed panels, round-table discussions will be topped off by a Persian-style vegetarian lunch and tea breaks prepared by Income Tax chef Ryan Henderson.  Tickets are available here.

3.  Cochon 555: Grand Cochon - 14 Cities. 14 Chefs. Grand Cochon will be the crowning glory for one of many talented chefs who will go head-to-head with one another to become the undisputed King or Queen of Porc!  The excitement takes off at River West's venerable Morgan Manufacturing Company.  You'll think you're in "Hog Heaven" when you taste all of the wonderful dishes complimented by some very tasty libations! Tickets?  Right here.

4.  TasteTalks Chicago - One of Brooklyn's finest events returns to Chicago for the 4th year.  Headed by Travel Channel star and host of "Bizzare Foods" Andrew Zimmern will curate the 3-day food fest, conferences, dinners, parties and cookout by some of Chicago's finest chefs.  Join the fun by securing tickets now, here.

5. A La Carte Chicago French Food Festival - You've heard French called the language of love, well, now you can fall in love with French cusine!  October 5 - 15th, explore Chicago's French restaurants, pastry shops, films, and of course, champagne!  You'll want to come to the Launch Party on October 5th to find out what's in store for the next two weeks.  To do that and obtain tickets and/or reservations for other events, go here.

Bon Appetit!