Chefs' Night Tasting Partner Opportunities
Event Date: May 4, 2026 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Chefs’ Night is our premier fundraising event, featuring culinary delights from some of Chicagoland’s most beloved restaurants, chefs and beverage purveyors. The event draws more than 600 guests for a night of tasting and entertainment. The event raises money to empower people with developmental disabilities to realize their greatest potential, thrive within the community, and achieve their hopes and dreams.
Join us as a Tasting Partner! Showcase one or more of your specialty dishes/drinks! Our Tasting Partners gain exposure to hundreds of potential new customers and at the same time, make a difference in our local community.
How do I become a Tasting Partner?
Agree to the benefits and expectations listed below (also included in the downloadable Tasting Partner Overview) and submit a completed Tasting Partner Sign-up Form available below via either online or email.
You can also download and email your completed Sign-Up Form to Niki at CEL.
What are the benefits of being a Tasting Partner?
Tasting Partners are promoted throughout the event campaign to CEL‘s supporters, community partners, volunteers, sponsors and prospective supporters. In addition to inclusion in pre-event marketing efforts, Tasting Partners receive:
- A written acknowledgment letter for your in-kind donation of goods and services, usable for tax purposes.
- Company logo included on the Chefs’ Night website.
- Promotion on the screens at the event.
- Promotion on CEL’s social media channels before and after the event.
What are the expectations of Tasting Partners?
- Provide tasting-size samples for 600 guests, covering all costs.
- Bring necessary equipment (heating/cooling units, serving utensils, etc.). Sternos allowed; no open flames.
- Staff your station (recommended 2 staff) and serve guests.
- Signage, decorations, and handouts are encouraged.
What does CEL provide to each Tasting Partner?
- One 6 ft serving table, and one 6 ft prepping table, both skirted.
- Tabletop signage.
- Disposable serve ware (napkins, small plates, small bowls, tasting cups, and silverware).
- Assistance with load-in at the event.
- Great business exposure to a grateful crowd of current and potential customers.
Past Tasting Partners
- Apologue Liqueurs
- Barilla
- Bent Fork Bakery
- Big Bowl
- Big Star Cocktails
- City Barbeque
- The Claim Company
- Claire’s Korner
- Cooper’s Hawk Winery
- Culver’s
- Deerfield-Bannockburn Firehouse
- Eddie Merlot
- Elle’s Marshmallows
- Ema Glenview
- Enzo and Lucia
- FEW Spirits
- The Fifty/50 Group
- Froggy’s French Café
- FTF Mobile & Toasty Cheese Food Trucks
- Grill House
- Gourmet Frog Bakery
- Half Day Brewing
- Highland Pop makers of Slim Kim Popcorn
- Hirsch’s North Shore Private Chef and Catering
- ICHI by Torino
- KOVAL Distillery
- La Zingara Trattoria
- Lazy Dog Restaurants
- Long Grove Confectionary
- Longitud315
- Napolita Pizzeria & Wine Bar
- Nirvana Wine & Grillerie
- North Shore Distillery
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Olive You Charcuterie
- P.F. Chang’s
- Pinstripes
- Poochie’s Hot Dogs
- PRP Wine International
- Ravinia Brewing Co.
- Revolution Brewing
- Saranello’s
- Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer
- Taco Vida
- Three Embers
- Three Tarts Bakery Café
- Tighthead Brewing Co.
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- West Town Bakery
- The Wild Roaster
- Wildfire