Struggling with business challenges? We understand your journey. Connect with the Cook County Small Business Source and access our award-winning small business program. Let's turn your challenges into opportunities for growth! Sign up today at https://lnkd.in/gR65Gghb. Cook County Government
Illinois Restaurant Association
Restaurants
Chicago, IL 6,018 followers
Dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois.
About us
The foodservice industry in Illinois is the largest private sector employer in the state, with projected employment in 2019 of 588,000 people and more than $30.1 billion in annual sales. To serve the needs of this important industry and support its future, the Illinois Restaurant Association works to provide restaurant operators and suppliers in Illinois with valuable business services, networking opportunities, cost saving programs, and vital advocacy. Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. The IRA owns and produces Chicago Gourmet – the annual food and wine festival held in Millennium Park that unites hundreds of restaurants, chefs and beverage experts for a weekend filled with food and drink tastings, entertainment, cooking demonstrations, book signings, interactive seminars and more. The Association is a proud host of the James Beard Foundation Awards, which will be held in Chicago through 2027 and celebrates excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and culinary education throughout the country. All Foodservice Professionals can sign up for a free login at illinoisrestaurants.org and learn more about the benefits of joining our membership. We offer individual memberships for secondary & post-secondary hospitality/culinary students and company based memberships for all Restaurant/Foodservice Operators (i.e., restaurants) and Associates (i.e., suppliers).
- Website
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http://www.illinoisrestaurants.org
External link for Illinois Restaurant Association
- Industry
- Restaurants
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1914
- Specialties
- Restaurant, Foodservice & Bar Operations, Efficiencies and Best Practices, Foodservice Marketing, Food & Beverage Operations, and Business Planning and Industry Growth
Locations
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Primary
33 West Monroe
Suite 250
Chicago, IL 60603, US
Employees at Illinois Restaurant Association
Updates
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Calling All Culinary Creators! The BMW of North America Ultimate Creator Challenge invites new, emerging, and student chefs to compete for a $6,000 scholarship. Create a mouthwatering dish inspired by the sophistication and innovation of the BMW 17 or 7 Series. Think luxury, think cutting-edge, think of how these iconic vehicles can fuel your culinary imagination. To learn more and enter, head to https://lnkd.in/gWsvYUqD.
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🚨 This just in: The food truck & food vendor lineup for #TasteofChicago has dropped! 🚚🍴 From gourmet bites to street food classics, there's something for every craving. Which food truck or vendor are you most excited to try? 🌟 Head to https://lnkd.in/dWW8cBJq for more details.
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🕺🏽🥂 Word on the street? Chicago Gourmet’s Late Night Gourmet, presented by TAO Chicago, on Friday, September 27 from 9 PM–12 AM matches perfectly with the Hamburger Hop. The official after-party, Late Night Gourmet, hosted by Chefs Joe Sasto & Amanda Barnes, is an upbeat event featuring late-night bites, specialty cocktails, dancing beats by DJ DIOX and plenty of photo ops. So grab your friends—and your dancing shoes—and keep the Friday night party going. To purchase your tickets, head to chicagogourmet.org.
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Coffee, networking, and invaluable insights await! Join Senator Robert Peters and Alderman Desmon Yancy at TrueNorth Café on Thursday, August 29 from 10–11:30am. Co-hosted by Cook County Small Business Source and Cook County Government, this roundtable will dive into how to get your business into the airport concession space and provide tools to boost your restaurant. Secure your spot now—details and registration can be found at https://lnkd.in/gmRBPnhf.
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Join us on Friday, August 23, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Breakthru Beverage Group for an immersive panel discussion, "Success Reimagined: Embracing Imperfection, Elevating Impact." Hosted by Women of the Vine & Spirits in partnership with Breakthru Beverage Group, this event features our COO, Mary Kay Bonoma, who will share insights on redefining success and maximizing impact. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders by heading to https://lnkd.in/gQZzgzQm.
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✨ Planning your DNC dining experience? Explore exclusive offers from our esteemed restaurant partners at Good Eats Group. Whether it's gourmet burgers at Burger Bar Chicago, authentic Italian cuisine at Sono Wood Fired, globally inspired dishes at Sociale, or freshly brewed coffee and artisanal bites at Café Press, our partners offer something for every palate. Good Eats Group is renowned for its exceptional dining experiences. Take advantage of these special deals and elevate your dining during the DNC. Whether you're hosting an event or looking for a memorable meal, our partners deliver excellence in every bite. For more details and booking information, visit https://lnkd.in/gXZR92xB.
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Join the DixiePura Kitchen and the Urban Juncture Foundation on Wednesday, August 21 from 2:00-3:30 PM for a delightful Southern High Sweet Tea experience. Sip, savor and celebrate community in the heart of Bronzeville! For full details and booking information, visit https://ow.ly/7hqn50T2ump.
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Our ProStart and Kendall student volunteers were fully engaged today, rescuing food from the DNC at OVG's McCormick kitchen. Alongside Fight2Feed and Doug Bradley of Bradley Works, they took inventory, sorted, weighed, composted, created a menu, prepped, cooked and distributed meals to local shelters and pantries. We even delivered treats to the 19th District Police Station, supporting officers working overtime to protect our city and its 50,000 visitors.
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Mark your calendar! 🗓️ From food trucks to cocktail lounges, #TasteofChicago is bringing the heat Sept 6–8 at Grant Park. With 40 vendors, diverse selections from top local chefs and restaurants, and live music, the fun is endless—and admission is FREE! 🌟 Which restaurants or chefs are you excited to see? Comment below! Head to https://lnkd.in/dWW8cBJq for more details.