Chef John Delucie of The Waverly Inn at Rockit Bar & Grill Tonight : guest blogger, Jeffrey Ward rockit ranch pr team

Chicago is known as one of the top dining cities in the world, which means that we are always hosting really great culinary events in the city (such as Tour de Champagne this Friday night at The Drake) as well chefs from all over the country, hoping to get reservations in our amazing restaurants while also sometimes giving us a taste of their own cuisine.

So it is exciting for someone like me, who has worked in Chicago’s vibrant restaurant industry for nearly a decade, to have Executive Chef James Gottwald welcome Chef John DeLucie of New York City’s Waverly Inn to Rockit Bar & Grill in River North tonight for the signing of his new book “The Hunger.”  I’ve been to The Waverly Inn previously, at the tail-end of one of those work trips to New York that I am lucky enough to make a few times a year, running from one restaurant to another. I loved the location of the place, on one of those perfect tree-lined West Village streets, and the restaurant décor reflects back to an early 1900s aesthetic. The cuisine and cocktails were super enjoyable, and it was the perfect ending to a great trip.  But there was something else fascinating about “Ye Waverly,” and maybe it had to do with the paparazzi parked outside in the hopes of catching a Marc Jacobs or an Olsen or two.

I watched Chef DeLucie on the TODAY Show yesterday morning in preparation for his trip, making a pumpkin ravioli that he serves his clientele and talking about the book, which combines this attractive clash of culinary and celebrity. The recipe looked totally doable for a home cook and I’m looking forward to trying it.  I’m also looking forward to sampling his signature Truffle Mac and Cheese while sipping on one of the small batch bourbon whiskey cocktails provided by Basil Hayden this evening. Hope to see you there.

Executive Chef James Gottwald Welcomes Chef John DeLucie of The Waverly Inn to Rockit Bar & Grill

22 W. Hubbard, 312-645-6000

www.rockitbarandgrill.com

TONIGHT, Thursday, October 22, 7 to 9 p.m.

Entry is complimentary, must be 21. 

To RSVP, please email [email protected].  

Chicago is known as one of the top dining cities in the world, which means that we are always hosting really great culinary events in the city (such as Tour de Champagne this Friday night at The Drake) as well chefs from all over the country, hoping to get reservations in our amazing restaurants while also sometimes giving us a taste of their own cuisine.

So it is exciting for someone like me, who has worked in Chicago’s vibrant restaurant industry for nearly a decade, to have Executive Chef James Gottwald welcome Chef John DeLucie of New York City’s Waverly Inn to Rockit Bar & Grill in River North tonight for the signing of his new book “The Hunger.”  I’ve been to The Waverly Inn previously, at the tail-end of one of those work trips to New York that I am lucky enough to make a few times a year, running from one restaurant to another. I loved the location of the place, on one of those perfect tree-lined West Village streets, and the restaurant décor reflects back to an early 1900s aesthetic. The cuisine and cocktails were super enjoyable, and it was the perfect ending to a great trip.  But there was something else fascinating about “Ye Waverly,” and maybe it had to do with the paparazzi parked outside in the hopes of catching a Marc Jacobs or an Olsen or two.

I watched Chef DeLucie on the TODAY Show yesterday morning in preparation for his trip, making a pumpkin ravioli that he serves his clientele and talking about the book, which combines this attractive clash of culinary and celebrity. The recipe looked totally doable for a home cook and I’m looking forward to trying it.  I’m also looking forward to sampling his signature Truffle Mac and Cheese while sipping on one of the small batch bourbon whiskey cocktails provided by Basil Hayden this evening. Hope to see you there.

Executive Chef James Gottwald Welcomes Chef John DeLucie of The Waverly Inn to Rockit Bar & Grill

22 W. Hubbard, 312-645-6000

TONIGHT, Thursday, October 22, 7 to 9 p.m.

Entry is complimentary, must be 21. 

To RSVP, please email [email protected].