Food in brief

David Curotto joins Cantigny as food & beverage director

David L. Curotto has joined Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf in Wheaton as food & beverage director. The appointment was announced by Northbrook-based KemperSports, which oversees Cantigny's golf and food service operations.

Curotto has been a professional chef at private country clubs throughout Chicagoland for the past 18 years. Most recently, since 2012, he was Executive Chef at Hawthorn Woods Country Club, a property also managed by KemperSports.

"Dave is a perfect fit for this position," said Terry Hanley, Cantigny Golf's general manager. "His 'back of the house' skills are well known, and now he'll get to realize his goal of stepping outside the kitchen to manage all aspects of a larger food service business. Cantigny's restaurant and private party guests will enjoy the quality and service standards Dave and his team will implement throughout the year."

"Cantigny is a wonderful institution," Curotto said. "People love it here for many different reasons, including a tradition of great food and hospitality. So I know I'm in the right place and can't wait to help make the customer experience here even better." Curotto said.

Curotto holds an Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree from Kendall College in Evanston. He lives in Aurora with his wife Rachael, also a chef, and their two young children.

Two restaurants score hit with diners

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse in Downers Grove and Niche Restaurant in Geneva were named in Opentable.com's Top Ten Restaurants for May. The free online restaurant reservation and review site, looks at its stats each month to look for favorite places and other trending information. The company analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews sorting the results by category to discover new favorites.

Dog Dayz of Summer 2016 canceled

The Dog Dayz of Summer 2016, scheduled for June 24 and 25, at Goose Island Barrel Warehouse, 605 N. Sacramento, Chicago has been canceled. All ticket sales will be refunded as promptly as possible. Organizers are working with the ticket website to process the refunds. For more information, visit www.dogdayzofsummer.com.

Ode to strawberries blooms into Summer Fest

Long Grove has taken its annual festival in honor of strawberries and let is flourish into a full blown Summer Fest, celebrating strawberries, of course, but other fruits and summer foods, music, a carnival and more for the kids. Debuting the weekend of Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26, is Long Grove Summer Fest, at 308 Old McHenry Road, features a broader array of summer fruits and food, bands, vendors, and family activities than its predecessor. "Although everybody loves them, we didn't want this fest to be known exclusively for strawberries," said Ryan Messner, President of Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. "Instead, we want to pay tribute to all the best things that summer in Long Grove has to offer." Friday to Sunday, June 24-26, in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission is free Friday and $5 Saturday and Sunday. It's free for kids 12 and younger.

Calling all home cooks

Do you know someone who loves to cook, bake or grill? To suggest someone to be profiled as a Daily Herald Cook of the Week, send the cook's name, address and phone number to Susan Stark c/o Cook of the Week, Daily Herald Food section, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or to food@dailyherald.com. Don't be shy; it can be you, too.