News

Chipotle hosting inaugural food and music festival

August 14, 2011

Chipotle Mexican Grill will host its first-ever festival, "Cultivate Chicago," celebrating food, music and ideas on Oct. 1 in Chicago's Lincoln Park.

The one-day festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will incorporate nationally recognized celebrity chefs, artisanal food and wine producers, and top musical acts as a way to raise awareness of the impact that food has on society.

"This festival is a celebration of many of the things that Chipotle stands for," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "We're bringing together farmers, chefs, thought-leaders, artisans and musicians on a journey that not only celebrates wholesome food, but that also champions the like-minded people who share our vision to create a better food supply and a more sustainable future."

Celebrity chefs cooking, speaking and demonstrating throughout the day include:

Richard Blais (The Spence/Atlanta)
Michael Chiarello (Bottega and NapaStyle/Yountville, Calif.)
Amanda Freitag (Food Network/New York)
Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto/New York)
Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Avec, The Publican, Big Star/Chicago)
Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Terzo Piano/Chicago)
Bruce Sherman (North Pond/Chicago)
Paul Virant (Vie and Perennial Virant/Chicago)

Calexico, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, White Rabbits, The Rural Alberta Advantage and The Cave Singers are among the musical guests slated to perform.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and purchase food crafted by local artisans, while a beer garden will include craft ales and organic wines. Two separate stages will host chefs as they demonstrate different techniques as well as share their knowledge of sustainable food preparation.

Chipotle will be on hand to serve a unique selection of food based on its traditional menu.

Proceeds of the special menu (up to $50,000) will benefit FamilyFarmed.org, a Chicago-based organization that aims to expand the production, marketing and distribution of locally grown and responsibly produced food.

Chipotle plans to host similar events in other cities. Admission to the festival is free.

For more information about branding and promotional efforts, click here.