First Bites Bash 2026

Celebrate the city’s acclaimed culinary scene at First Bites Bash, the official kick-off event for Chicago Restaurant Week, featuring bites from 70+ of Chicago’s most celebrated chefs.

Guests can enjoy tastings from top Chicago restaurants, plus wine, beer, and spirits at the stunning Field Museum. This year’s event proudly features Host Chef Jonathon Sawyer of Kindling in Chicago's Loop. Chef Jonathon Sawyer is a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2015, and a nationally recognized culinary talent known for his bold, wood-fired cuisine. He’s a familiar face on Food Network, recently winning "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing" and appearing on shows like "Tournament of Champions" and "Bobby Flay's Triple Threat." As the force behind Kindling, his innovative approach brings a dynamic, global flair to Chicago’s dining scene.

Choose Chicago is pleased to continue its longstanding financial support of two impactful organizations as the First Bites Bash beneficiaries. This year, a donation will be made to the James Beard Foundation, a long-time partner, furthering its commitment to championing a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving independent restaurant industry, and No Kid Hungry, who works with food banks, schools and other partners around the country to make sure kids and families have the food they need.

Visit firstbitesbash.com for a complete list of participating restaurants.

Keep the party going and join us for the official First Bites Bash after party at Hubbard Inn! Show your event wristband for entry at the front door and one complimentary beverage, including beer, wine, seltzer, or call cocktail. Let the night continue with good company and great spirits!

This is the ONLY ticketing page for First Bites Bash 2026. For accurate information and updates, please be sure to follow this page only. Any other pages, groups, or websites claiming to be affiliated with this event are not official and may provide incorrect details.

A few things to know about the event:

• All guests must be at least 21 years old and bring a valid ID.

• If you cannot present a valid ID at the event, your ticket will be void and no refunds provided.

• This is an adults-only, 21+ affair. No children of any age are allowed into the event including infants and children in strollers.

• General admission entrance will be on the

• Paid parking will be available onsite in the lot just east of the Field Museum on Museum Campus Drive. After looping around in front of the Shedd Aquarium, you will circle back and turn right into the lot. View the map here. This lot is first come, first served and overflow parking is in the Soldier Field North Garage.

• No refunds or price adjustments.

Vendors subject to change. Your ticket includes entrance to the event, access to select exhibits, and food and drink samples. Enjoy responsibly. We reserve the right to curtail service to anyone if intoxicated. It is recommended to print a paper ticket to prevent any technology complications that would prevent your ticket from displaying on your phone. There is no guest list. Each ticket must be scanned. Security reserves the right to inspect all bags and persons. Absolutely no food or drink may be brought into the event. Guests who are deemed intoxicated (or otherwise unfit) will be denied entry and no refund will be given.

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