Chef's Fest features about 70 restaurants

Chef's Fest was so crowded on Tuesday that Uno's Pizza employees passed out pizza to people waiting in line for Uno's pizza and pasta.

More than 2,000 people tasted samples from about 70 restaurants and chefs at the 15th annual Chef's Fest at Arlington Park, said Fran Bolson, president of the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau.

Michael Stanke, general manager of The Melting Pot in Schaumburg, handed out bowls of chocolate-covered strawberries, marshmallows, doughnut holes and Rice Krispie treats. People also entered a drawing to win free fondue for a year.

"We were here last year and got between 500 and 600 legitimate e-mail addresses," Stanke said. "It's big for us."

Lines wove around restaurant stands such as Bob Chinn's Crabhouse, Lou Malnati's, Moretti's, Morton's Steakhouse, Signature Room at the 95th and Wildfire for most of the night.

However, the key to Chef's Fest is not to arrive as soon as it opens. Almost 100 people waited in line before the doors opened, and lines to the most popular samples ran 20 deep early in the night. Wait an hour, and the lines all but disappear as people hit up only their favorites for seconds.

Libations include samples from local microbreweries, specialty coffees, fruit drinks and sodas.

Besides The Melting Pot, the mini cheeseburgers at Ram Restaurant and Brewery were big along with full cups of flavored cappuccino from Cappuccino Catering.

However, some of the best deals didn't have anything to do with the free samples --Einstein Bros. Bagels handed out coupons for free coffee and bagels, and Fox and Hound Smokehouse & Tavern gave away "free appetizer" tickets.

Adam Smith of Sam and Harry's Restaurant, a steakhouse in the Renaissance Schaumburg hotel, passed out samples during a cooking class.

With summer around the corner and the backyard cooking season a few weeks away, it's time to start thinking summer dishes, Smith said.

"Cold fruit and cold soups like gazpacho," Smith said. "They're both refreshing."

Chef's Fest also featured mini cooking classes and a basic wine class. Tickets to the three-hour tasting were $30.