First Bites Bash 2025: 7 Crucial Things To Know Before Chicago’s Ultimate Culinary Kick-Off
The First Bites Bash 2025 is set to be the most anticipated culinary event of the winter season, officially kicking off the 18th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week. Scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 2025, this exclusive event gathers the city's top chefs and food lovers for an all-inclusive evening of exquisite dining, premium drinks, and high-energy networking.
This year’s bash, hosted by Choose Chicago, is not just a spectacular food festival; it is a vital fundraiser that sets the stage for the two-week-long celebration of Chicago’s world-class dining scene. With tickets already on sale as of late 2025, securing your spot is crucial to experience the best of the city's gastronomy before the main event begins.
Event Biography: The Essential Facts About First Bites Bash 2025
- Official Event Name: First Bites Bash 2025
- Purpose: Official Kick-Off Event for Chicago Restaurant Week 2025
- Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
- Time: Typically 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (General Admission)
- Venue: The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
- Host Organization: Choose Chicago (The city's official destination marketing organization)
- Scale: Features more than 60 of Chicago's top restaurants and chefs
- Chicago Restaurant Week Dates: January 24 – February 9, 2025
- Ticket Price: General Admission is typically $150 per person (with limited Early Bird tickets available at $130)
- Charitable Mission: A portion of the proceeds supports local Chicago charitable organizations dedicated to the "Good Food for Good mission."
- Host Chef: Executive Chef Soo Ahn of Adalina (a highly acclaimed Chicago restaurant)
The Unmatched Venue: Dining Under the Dinosaurs at The Field Museum
One of the most compelling aspects of the First Bites Bash is its iconic location: The Field Museum. This venue elevates the event from a simple food festival to a truly unforgettable cultural and culinary experience.
Guests get the unique opportunity to mingle among ancient artifacts and towering exhibits, tasting gourmet bites in the museum’s grand halls. The atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission, offering a dramatic and elegant backdrop for Chicago’s finest culinary creations.
The vast space of the museum is necessary to accommodate the sheer scale of the event, which hosts hundreds of attendees and over 60 different restaurant stations. This allows for a smooth flow and ensures that guests can easily navigate and sample dishes from every corner of the Chicago culinary map.
The Culinary Lineup: A Taste of Chicago’s Best Restaurants
The core attraction of the First Bites Bash 2025 is the incredible density of high-quality restaurants participating. This event acts as a preview, giving attendees a "first bite" of the establishments that will be offering special prix-fixe menus during the subsequent Chicago Restaurant Week.
The lineup features a mix of established Chicago institutions, rising stars, and celebrated neighborhood gems. These chefs are not just serving samples; they are crafting signature, bite-sized dishes that showcase their restaurant's unique style and culinary philosophy.
A Snapshot of Participating Restaurants & Culinary Entities:
- Adalina (Executive Chef Soo Ahn)
- 14 Parish Chicago
- Barrio
- Beatrix
- Eden (Avondale)
- The Gage (Loop)
- Gene & Georgetti (River North)
- Cebu (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
- Moody Tongue Brewing
- Mama Delia (Bib Gourmand)
- Pompette (Bib Gourmand)
- Piccolo Sogno
- Hawksmoor Chicago
- UMMO
In addition to the food, the event features an extensive beverage program with a wide selection of wines, cocktails, and craft beers. Attendees can expect to see local favorites represented, including breweries like ERIS Brewery and Ciderhouse, Off Hours Beer Company, Dovetail Brewery, Industry Ales, and Old Irving Brewing Co., all providing the perfect pairing for the gourmet bites.
Ticket Tiers and Pricing: How to Secure Your Spot
The First Bites Bash is an all-inclusive ticketed event, meaning once you are inside the Field Museum, all food and drink samples are included in the price of admission. There are typically two main tiers for purchasing tickets, which Choose Chicago releases well in advance.
The most sought-after tickets are the Limited Early Bird Admission, priced at $130 per person. These sell out extremely fast and are intended for those who plan ahead. Once the early bird batch is gone, the price moves to General Admission at $150 per person.
Given the event’s popularity and its limited capacity, it is highly recommended to purchase tickets as soon as they are announced. The event has a history of selling out completely, sometimes within 24 hours of the public launch, highlighting its status as a premier Chicago social event.
The Charitable Heart: Supporting Chicago’s Community
Beyond the glamour and the gourmet food, the First Bites Bash has a significant philanthropic component. A portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold is dedicated to supporting local Chicago organizations.
This commitment to giving back reinforces the event's role in the community, linking the city's celebrated culinary community with crucial local causes. While the official 2025 beneficiary is often announced closer to the date, the funds consistently support initiatives focused on food equity, education, and community development, often summarized by the "Good Food for Good mission." Past beneficiaries have included organizations like Pilot Light, which focuses on food education.
Chicago Restaurant Week 2025: The Main Event
The First Bites Bash serves as the spectacular prologue to the main culinary event: Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 (CRW). CRW runs from January 24 through February 9, offering 17 days of dining deals across hundreds of restaurants throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.
During CRW, participating restaurants offer special multi-course, prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner, making it an accessible way for diners to try high-end and popular establishments at a set price point. This allows food enthusiasts to plan their dining itinerary after getting a preview at the Bash.
The two events are intrinsically linked, with the Bash generating massive buzz and reservations for the subsequent Restaurant Week. It’s the ultimate opportunity for the public to engage with the city’s vast and diverse culinary landscape, from classic steakhouses in River North to innovative modern American cuisine in Avondale.
Planning Your Experience: Tips for Attending the Bash
Attending the First Bites Bash is an all-inclusive experience, but a little planning goes a long way to maximize your enjoyment. The event is a standing-room-only, walk-around tasting, so comfortable footwear is essential.
Given the sheer number of participating chefs and the large crowd, prioritizing your must-try restaurants early in the evening can help you avoid longer lines later on. The sheer volume of delicious food available means you should pace yourself and take advantage of the diverse beverage stations. Whether you are a dedicated foodie or simply looking for an elegant evening out, the First Bites Bash 2025 promises to be the premier start to Chicago’s culinary year.
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