Fried Chicken & Champagne Fest 2017

About Event

The chicken flew the coop right into the fryer for a philanthropic cause. Kendall College Trust’s third annual Fried Chicken & Champagne Fest was held at Kendall College on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 11:30 am-3:00 pm. All event proceeds benefited Kendall College Trust, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that raises scholarship funds for students in need attending Kendall College and supports the Kendall College Trust Culinary Camp for high school students from underserved communities in Chicago.

Kendall College Trust Executive Director, Catherine De Orio gathered a roster of a dozen of Chicago’s finest chefs who can made clucking awesome fried chicken to fry-up their take on this classic dish.

Kevin Rebhan of Pops for Champagne curated an impressive VIP lounge with an array of premium Moët Hennessy Champagnes to sip and swirl.

The lineup of esteemed chefs put their own unique spin on the classic American dish, but ultimately the awards for the following were:

The Golden Hen – Best Overall Fried Chicken
(Determined by an esteemed panel of media and industry experts)
Monteverde – Sarah Grueneberg

The People’s Choice
(Voted upon by attendees)
Leghorn Chicken – Jared Van Camp

 Best Table Décor
(Voted upon by attendees)
Acadia – Ryan McCaskey

2017 Participating Chefs

Acadia: Ryan McCaskey (2016 Golden Hen Award and Best Table Decor winner)
The Budlong Hot Chicken: Dylan Lipe
Farmhouse: Eric Mansavage
Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp (2015 and 2016 People’s Choice Award winner)
Joe’s Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab: Justin Diglia
Leghorn Chicken: Jared Van Camp
Mercat A La Planxa: Diego Amat
Monteverde: Sarah Grueneberg
Old Irving Brewing: Brandon Robinson
Parachute: Beverly Kim
Prime & Provisions: Joseph Rizza
Ronero: Cory Morris

Desserts by West Town Bakery