upcoming events

The popular appearances of Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef, continue with some wonderful menu ideas emphasizing healthy eating so essential for Gilda’s Club members and their families. People living with cancer know that healthy eating is important for the body and the spirit. The meals in this cooking series are designed to inspire people living with cancer to eat well, serve beautiful food and stay healthy. Mark your calendar for this fun and infirmative event. This healthy cooking demonstration is on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 6pm at Gilda’s Club Chicago. The club is located at 537 North Wells Street, Chicago. Gilda's Club provides a place where men, women and children with cancer, and families and friends, join with others to build social and emotional support in addition to medical care. Gilda's Club is named in honor of the late comedian Gilda Radner. My Private Chef has been a strong supporter of Gilda's Club by providing this series of cooking demonstrations and conversations with Chef Tong. For more information about this event, contact Gildaʼs Club Chicago at 312.464.9900 or visit www.gildasclubchicago.org

Chef Christopher Tong, owner of the popular private chef and gourmet dining service, My Private Chef, will serve as a Celebrity Judge at the 2011 Bucktown Apple Pie Contest. He will taste and judge pies created by a group of amateur baker and local professional chef finalists. The event is unique, engaging and represents the heart and soul of how food brings community together. An urban country fair feel, as American as apple pie, everyone is invited to the contest, and to taste the pies! Amateur bakers will present their wares alongside professional chefs from local restaurants, and gourmet food stores. All pies will be available for purchase, either whole or by the slice. All proceeds will go to the Friends of Holstein Park. The contest will be held at the Holstein Park field house, 2200 N. Oakley, Chicago, IL on Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 2-5pm. For more information about the Bucktown Apple Pie Contest, visit www.bucktownapplepiecontest.com We hope to see you there!

Fresh from his trip to Germany, Italy and France, Chef Christopher Tong of the upscale Chicago-based private gourmet dining service, My Private Chef, is enthusiastic about European flavors and cuisine. He has been invited back to present a French-themed menu inspired by his latest travels. The menu for this cooking demonstration features Chicken Marengo with Crusty French Bread. Chef Tong says: “Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte’s chef created this dish following the battle of Marengo in 1800. Complementing the delicious Chicken Marengo recipe, Chef will demonstrate how to prepare Strawberry and Brie Cheese Salad with Slivered Almonds and Raspberry Vinaigrette; and Chocolate Mousse with fresh berries. People who are casual cooks or lovers of gourmet food get to ask questions, discuss preparation, and come away with fabulous recipes that you can try at home. Chef Tong will give tips on shopping, ingredients, and serving. And, everyone gets to have a taste! The demonstration will take place on Friday, September 2, from 2-4 p.m. at the Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store at Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago.

Chef Chris selects fresh produce at the outdoor market in Paris.