Food meets craft beers at Mother Truckin' Beer Fest

The Mother Truckin' Beer Fest returns with its showcase of craft beers and food trucks for the holiday season from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.

Craft beers and ciders are the draws, but food and beer make magic, too. The Daily Herald is sponsoring its Tap Chef cooking demonstration from 2 to 3 p.m. at the event. This year, Chef Paul Guerrero, Culinary Director of Cooking Skills Academy in Itasca will be demonstrating recipes using various craft beers poured at the event.

"Oh yeah, when I was at Wildfire, I was the one who came up with the all-beer dinner program. I worked with Goose Island before they were Goose Island - before they got so big. I worked with Two Brothers, too. It's really gratifying to find these small local companies, getting to work with them, before they get big. That's the really exciting part of this for me."

As for cooking with beer, Guerrero goes beyond just creating food to pair with specific beer styles.

"For the beer dinners, we created full courses from appetizers to desserts. I always like to incorporate the beers into each dish. As a chef, I like to see what I can cook with craft beers. Say for dessert; you might work with at stout with all its chocolaty notes," he said.

The Mother Truckin' Beer Fest is strictly an age 21 and older event. General admission tickets cost $45 and are available online. Designated driver tickets only available at the door cost $15. It costs $10 per vehicle to park at the Sears Centre.

With each ticket you will receive a commemorative tasting glass, 25 tasting tickets and full access to the festivities, featuring craft beer, the cascading Beering-ham fountain, Santas Little Hoppers Workshop and specialty food trucks.

The Sears Centre Arena is at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. For tickets and a listing of all the beer and food vendors, visit www.mothertruckinfest.com.