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Talks & Lectures
FRI · MAY 15 · 6:30 PM
05·15

Michael Gebert in Conversation with Kyle Johnson Cherek

ft. Michael Gebert, Kyle Johnson Cherek

Boswell Book Company· 2559 N Downer Ave
0+ · RSVP Required
FoodiesCurious Minds
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Chicago's culinary history revealed by Michael Gebert and Kyle Johnson Cherek.

Part I

The details

About this event

Join Michael Gebert, a celebrated food writer, as he delves into the rich tapestry of Chicago's dining scene at Boswell Book Company. In conversation with Kyle Johnson Cherek, Gebert will share insights from his book, "The Chicago Way," exploring the city's culinary journey from steak-and-potatoes to Michelin stars. This event promises a deep dive into the stories that shaped Chicago's reputation as a food city. Whether you're a foodie or just curious, this is a chance to hear firsthand accounts from someone who has chronicled the scene for decades.

The evening offers a unique opportunity to engage with the narratives that have defined Chicago's gastronomic landscape. Expect tales of revolutionary chefs, kitchen mishaps, and the cultural shifts that have put Chicago on the global culinary map. It's an event that promises to enrich your understanding of the city's food culture and perhaps inspire your next dining adventure.

From the organizer

Boswell hosts James Beard Award-winning food writer Michael Gebert for a conversation about his new book, The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining, with Milwaukee-area culinary historian Kyle Johnson Cherek. Gebert reveals the untold stories behind Chicago's globally celebrated culinary scene, from revolutionary chefs to kitchen disasters to public uproars to Michelin stars, as told by the cooks, servers, restaurateurs, critics, dreamers, and rebels who built America's fearless food city.

Getting in

  • RSVP Required

  • Registration required — must sign up

Pricing details

RSVP required to attend, no explicit cost mentioned.

Pro tips

  • Foodies

    After the talk, head to the nearby restaurant, Beans & Barley, for a post-event meal. It's a local favorite and just a 5-minute walk from Boswell Book Company.

What's It Actually Like?

Energy3/5
ZenMosh Pit
NerdyIntimateChill
FoodieAcademia
Conversational

Who'll Be There

Expect a mix of local food enthusiasts, aspiring chefs, culinary historians, and individuals interested in Chicago’s food culture. The crowd will likely be diverse in age but lean towards adults who appreciate literature and food.

How the Room Feels

Seated throughoutQuiet expected

What You'll Leave With

Just the experience

Who It's For

Social style:
Small group (3–6)
Energy needed:
Sit back and receive

Part II · The feel

How it feels

The details organizers don't always put in the description — pulled from the room, the crowd, and what people remember afterward.

The room

Library rules. Whispers and a calm body — this is not a talking-out-loud room.

Seated throughoutQuiet expected

The crowd

Designed for 3–6 people. Good group-of-friends territory.

You'll leave with

Just the experience

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