Chicago Food Film Festival 2013!...

Did you miss the New York premiere of Biting into the Ramen Burger? Then come to Chicago!!


Biting into the Ramen Burger- Trailer from Edit Beach on Vimeo.

For the first time in Chicago, Ramen Burger by Keizo Shimamoto sponsored by Burger Maker and Sun Noodle!!

All events will take place at:
Kendall College
900 N North Branch St
Chicago, IL 60642
Note: Details are subject to change without notice.
Film screenings begin 15 minutes after General Admission doors open.
All Festival events are 21+
Peanuts, nuts and other food allergens may be present in the food served at The Festival.  Although we make every effort to keep these items separated, we cannot guarantee that the food served will be free of the 8 major allergens identified by the FDA.
By entering and by your presence here you consent to be photographed, filmed, and recorded and acknowledge that such films and recordings of you may be used in any and all media and for any purpose throughout the universe in perpetuity without compensation or credit to you. You understand that all photography, filming, and recording will be done in reliance of this consent given by you.

Midnight ramen dreams...

Day 1110:

Being that this was my first time in Chicago, there was really only one thing I wanted to do when I got here. Like millions of other kids, I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and since I never got to see him play in person, visiting his statue outside the United Center had always been a dream of mine.

Another dream fulfilled! MJ is still the greatest!

For lunch I headed to Wasabi in Logan Square, since a number of people had recommended it and because Yusho wasn't open until dinner. Btw, thanks for all the recs everyone!

Shoyu Ramen (コク醤油).

It started off promising and I even warned my waitress that I might have to order another bowl. But in the end, I couldn't handle another disappointment. The コク that they mention on the menu was only apparent in color and not much taste. I gave this bowl a fair chance down to the last slurp and sip, but it still never spoke to me like a great bowl should.

Anyway, back at FoodFilmFest... (are the Chicago skies always this beautiful?)

They were setting up for Single Malt Whiskey: The Islay 8.

Oh man...the whiskey fumes were intense!

As much as I wanted to stay and enjoy the whiskey tasting, we had to get over to EL Ideas and prepare for the Midnight Ramen After Party presented by Kitchit.

Ready, Set, Go Ramen!

As soon as the clock struck midnight (actually we started an hour early)...

The best ramen in Chicago was being made in the kitchen of Chef Phillip Foss.

By this time, we were having so much fun.

Ramen Dreams was being shown in the dining room and everyone was slurping away.

I'd have to agree that it was "the Ultimate Event of 2012."

A big thanks to everyone who showed up! Karen, Ashley, and Jillian?

Michael and Christian!

Justin!

Ramen dreams most definitely come true!

And after the after party...

Will Shear, Akiko Moorman, and I were invited to serve ramen at Next.

I still couldn't believe this was really happening.

Some of the top chefs in the world were eating our ramen.

And listening to me talk about it.

Unbelievable!

Please...don't wake me up.

The ramen aviary...

Day 1109:

Chicago is no doubt a great city. And soon it will be a great ramen city too.

The only ramen shop that I could find open for lunch today was Cocoro. And this was the only ramen shop so far that I was able to order in Japanese. The folks at Cocoro definitely have a sincere heart.

I ordered the Shoyu Ramen and a sincere shoyu ramen came out.

This was not a bad bowl, and it also wasn't very good...

But it had heart. And sometimes that's all it takes to make me smile.

Still needing some last minute ingredients, we found our way to Mitsuwa. So naturally, we slurped at Santouka.

Miso Ramen.

Santouka is Santouka is Santouka is Santouka, but it's not Santouka. You know what I mean?

Oh man, I was so busy prepping today that I missed Fish Fry Friday!!

It's all good.

The soup is ready to go!!

And after dropping it off at Elideas...

It was off to...

Oh my...

A ramen and paired cocktail course?

Spring - cherry blossom.

Shoyu Ramen.

Summer - バーベキュー。

Dashi Ramen.

Autumn - japanese pickleback.

Tonkotsu Ramen.

Winter - グラスホッパー。

I've never had a course like this. ever!

Hands down the best cocktails I've ever had.

And double hands down the best ramen in Chicago. The flavors and aromas were phenomenal.

Thank you Akiko Moorman! Thank you Will Shear! Thank you Phil Foss! Thank you The Avery!!

Urban bellygoat...

Day 1108:

Urbanbelly...

Chicken and Mushroom Dumplings...

Urbanbelly Ramen. Is it pho? Is it ramen? It's pho men!

It's unique and delicious in its own right, but I'd say it's 80% pho and 20% ramen (20% being the noodles and pork belly). I walked here from Diversey Station. It was a long walk, but a long walk worth walking...at most once. Honestly, I'd like to try this broth with proper pho noodles too.

Anyway, back at the FoodFilmFest...

We were prepping some surprises for midnight ramen.

And in the theater, Chef Beverly Kim and Chef Johnny Clark were doing their thang!

Btw, Chef Beverly Kim and I had an awesome discussion about ramen tonight.

Larry!!!

Dude, I got to help plate dishes for Chef Philip Foss tonight. Fu**cking amazing!

DJ Keili!!

And the shows begin...

Thank you Philip Foss and Akiko Moorman! These guys are responsible for making midnight ramen happen.

Sugar Shack!!

These ladies got free passes to midnight ramen on Saturday. See you at ELideas!

And as Nicole tried to feed me some hard maple syrup...

The Rev was getting red with bacon.

Billy Goat Tavern!

Nothing like eating a late night burger with the man who is THE burger man, George Motz.

ps. we didn't WRITE on the wall, we WROTE on the wall. :)