Chicago Public Radio [WBEZ 91.5FM] is pleased to announce the official kickoff event launching the second season of Chicago Public Radio Presents… This live event series begins with the Chicago Chef Battle on Saturday, September 26, 7pm (doors open at 6pm) at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph Street. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at chicagopublicradio.org/events or at the door.

Kicking off the second season, this event will feature Chef Jill Barron of Mana Food Bar, Chef Ben Sheagren of Hopleaf, and Chef Jared Van Camp of Old Town Social. The audience will judge an evening of delicious food with prizes for the winning chef. With Goose Island sponsoring this year’s series, can you guess what the battle’s key ingredient will be?

Beer!

Hosted by Studio 312’s Jimmy Carrane and including complimentary beverages courtesy of Goose Island Brewery, this event is an inside peek into the Chicago culinary world.

Chicago Public Radio Presents… is WBEZ’s public event series designed to bring public radio fans, their friends and anyone else we can find together in the same room to experience the rich traditions of Chicago culture. The 2009/2010 season includes the above Chef Battle, the screening of a Palm d’Or winner from Cannes at the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Third Coast Filmless Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the third annual Global Activism Expo and more.

Chicago Public Radio Presents… is sponsored in part by: Goose Island Brewery, Spex, and AV Club Chicago. For a complete listing of all ten events, go to: chicagopublicradio.org/events.

For more information, interviews or photos, please contact Don Hall at 312-948-4644 or donhall@chicagopublicradio.org.

About Chicago Public Radio

Chicago Public Radio is a community-supported, non-commercial public service broadcasting institution, broadcasting throughout Chicago and surrounding regions to nearly 500,000 weekly listeners. From news and public affairs to arts and culture, the station’s eclectic and distinctive selection of internationally, nationally and locally produced programs reflects the diversity of the community it serves.

Chicago Public Radio programming is available at WBEZ 91.5 FM Chicago, WBEQ 90.7 FM Morris, W217BM 91.3 FM Elgin and chicagopublicradio.org. Vocalo.org is available at WBEW 89.5 FM Chesterton and Vocalo.org.

FACT SHEET

• WHAT: Chicago Public Radio Presents…Chicago Chef Battle
• WHERE: Catalyst Ranch – 656 W Randolph Street
• WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
• TICKETS: $15.00 for general public; $12.00 for members of Chicago Public Radio; $10.00 for students
• WHO:

Chef Jill Barron of Mana Food Bar

Chef Jill Barron has worked with ethnic foods her whole career. Her casual, elegant approach to dining has appealed to the Chicago scene since her return from California in the 90’s, winning Chicago magazine’s best new restaurants for both De Cero Taqueria and Mana Food Bar. She feels that vegetables have been underated, and is proving to Chicago that a meatless meal can be satisfying, delicious, and familiar.

Ben Sheagren, Executive Chef of Hopleaf Bar

Local, self-taught chef, Ben Sheagren has worked in Chicago kitchens such as Fortunato, Deleece, and Tournesol for over ten years. As Chef at the Hopleaf for the past four years, his food has been described as everything from nouveau-Belgian, to modern Midwestern. He prefers to think of it in more straightforward terms, as sophisticated comfort food that goes well with great beer and wine.

Chef Jared Van Camp of Old Town Social

Jared was the sous chef at one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world, Blackbird, where he worked and learned at the hip of Paul Kahan. He then went to open Osteria di Tramonto as Executive Chef where he created the menu and concept with Rick Tramonto. Despite this pedigree and working with these bold-faced names, Jared has recently opened Old Town Social; a casual, unpretentious neighborhood spot that has it’s own in-house charcuterie program and a distinct focus on blue-collar food.

Jimmy Carrane – Host

Chicago Media Personality Jimmy Carrane is the host of WBEZ’s Studio 312, now available on podcast, and numerous comedy specials heard on the station. A founding member of legendary Chicago comedy group Jazz Freddy, Jimmy also teaches at the Second City. He is excited to be hosting this event because it counts towards his community service for something he was charged with back in 2004.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Don Hall, 312-948-4644
donhall@chicagopublicradio.org

Breeze Richardson, 312-948-4653
brichardson@chicagopublicradio.org