Latest news with #AxiosChicago
Axios
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
JinJu Patisserie, and chef Timothy Wastell win James Beard awards
Portland's JinJu Patisserie, a Korean-inspired assorted dessert shop, and a Willamette Valley chef won big at the 35th annual James Beard Awards in Chicago Monday. Why it matters: Rose City's continued presence in recent years at the awards, which honor excellence in food, wine, baking and hospitality, cements its status as one of America's most innovative food cities. The latest: JinJu Patisserie — known for its weekend specials like hazelnut-chocolate kouign-amann, matcha red bean pain suisse and extra-flaky, twice-baked croissants — won for Outstanding Bakery. In an acceptance speech, pastry chefs Jin Caldwell and Kyurim "Q" Lee dedicated the win to the Portland community for "showing us love since day one" when they opened in 2019. What they're saying:"Portland has opened the door wide open to us," Caldwell told Axios Chicago in an interview backstage. Plus: Timothy Wastell of Amity-based winery Antica Terra secured the win for Best Chef — Northwest and Pacific. Wastell, who previously worked at Portland's former Old Salt Marketplace, beat out two other Oregon-based contenders: Nodoguro 's Ryan Roadhouse and Josh Dorcak of Ashland's MÄS, who have both received nominations in the past. Fun fact: The James Beard Foundation is named in honor of the iconic Portland-born food writer and chef. Judges passed on Mount Tabor's French-inspired bistro Coquine for Frasca Food and Wine, a Boulder, Colorado-based Northern Italian eatery. Coquine chef Katy Millard has been recognized by the awards several times in the past for her commitment to seasonality and her signature everyday-style cooking. Scotch Lodge, the Central Eastside whisky-focused cocktail bar with a top-shelf food menu to boot, lost out to Chicago-based Kumiko, for Outstanding Bar, one of three new beverage categories that debuted this year.
Axios
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Malört vs. Fireball: Philly's new liquor rivalry
Some Chicagoans swear by Malört — others swear at it. Why it matters: The polarizing liquor is finally on Pennsylvania shelves — and we're waiting to see if it challenges Fireball, our best-selling spirit, for top shelf. There's even a freakin' book about the bitter-tasting brand. Driving the debate: Philadelphians are still too naive to debate the pros and cons of Malört so we turned to the real pros: Axios Chicago teammates Monica Eng, Carrie Shepherd and Justin Kaufmann for their insights. What they're saying: Eng is a Malört convert who initially hated the drink the first couple of times she tried it. But then she had it with an Old Style — as part of a drink called the Chicago Handshake. It tastes like "a bit of butterscotch" that "drifts into grapefruit rind and finishes with burnt rubber bands," Eng tells us. How to drink it: "Don't," Shepherd warns Philadelphians. "It's the aftertaste that gets you and it doesn't hit immediately. Take a breath, THEN chase it with the champagne of beers. Or just Champagne."
Axios
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Join Axios Chicago's next live Hideout event
We are super excited to announce our next Axios Chicago event at The Hideout from 6–8pm May 8. The bill: Carrie, Justin, Monica and Moyo talking politics with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, handing out swag and testing your Chicago knowledge with the Kaufmann Quiz. The best part? Mingling with YOU, the best readers in the world! More special guests to be announced later.
Axios
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Samoas edge out Thin Mints in close Girl Scout cookie poll
Axios Chicago readers have spoken and the Samoa, also known as Caramel deLites in some regions, is your favorite Girl Scout cookie. By the numbers: Neraly 900 of you voted and Samoas beat Thin Mints by a sliver of coconut. 31% for Samoas and 30% for Thin Mints. Toffee-Tastics were at the bottom with just 2% of the vote. Fun facts: Girl Scouts have sold about 1 million boxes of Thin Mints so far this year in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. This is the last year for S'mores. There will be a new cookie next year. The intrigue: The Girl Scouts use two different bakers for their cookies which is why some of the names vary by region (and actually taste a little different). Samoas vs. Caramel deLites Tagalongs vs. Peanut Butter Patties Do-si-dos vs. Peanut Butter Sandwich Lemon-Ups vs. Lemonades Girl Scout S'mores vs. Toast Yay Toffee Tastic vs. Chocolate Chip What's next: Girl Scout Cookies are on sale until April 2 in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Axios
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Illinois picks new-ish state flag
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the winning design of the state's new flag contest. Except, well, it's not new. Flashback: Last year, the Illinois Flag Commission released 10 designs for the public to vote on. Driving the news: Giannoulias said Thursday that 385,000 votes were cast in the contest. 165,000, or 43%, selected the current flag that features an eagle on a rock with a red ribbon coming from its beak, emblazoned with the words "State Sovereignty, National Union." Zoom in: More than 5,400 Axios Chicago readers voted on the best design and the option with a simple navy background with a bust of Lincoln, squeaked by as the winner. Second place? The current flag. What's next: The decision to *checks notes* use the current state flag as the new state flag goes to the General Assembly. Lawmakers could also decide to pick a new design or revert back to an old one. The bottom line: Do we hate change?
