For a list of Cooking schools, visit , Cooking chef, Culinary classes, Italian cooking, Cooking food, Lessons, Interactive lessons, Cooking classes in Chicago, Culinary arts, Cooking courses, Best culinary schools, Institute, Programs, Top cooking schools, Cooking instruction, Culinary training, Dinner party, Cooking college

Cooking training.  Some of Chicago’s top Cooking and Culinary Schools include , and . 

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Audio interview with Corporate Sommelier, Don Sritong “Key Principles for Pairing Food and Wine”.

It’s Easy! Just Press Play!

Questions/answers from this informative audio interview with Don:

1. What is Just Grapes?

Our mission is making wine simple, fun and functional. The best wine for your is the wine you like best. Just Grapes specializes in Corporate Wine Events, Wine Retail, Wine Education with US’s first self service Tasting Stations

Corporate Events – Wine = Corporate Culture – Executive to Entry Level – competent at dining room as they are in boardroom.

Integration on wine education/entertaining into corporate culture – entertaining clients, team building, quarterly meetings, milestone celebrations, just because.

Retail – point of difference is the customer experience, service, application. Hand picked selection of artisan producers arranged in a revolutionary progress format, grape then flavor.

Wine Education – How To Navigate the Wine List, How to Pick Wines for your next event, Summer Wines (June 4) Wines of Brazil (June 11), Wine & Cheese (June 18).

2. Who am I and my background?

Grew up in a restaurant family, studied at the UC Davis, worked on the supply side representing wines from all over the world – France, Italy, Spain, Australia, NZ, US, first level MS

3. What are the keys principles for pairing food and wine? Grilled food and wine?

Match/Contrast Flavor and/or texture

Grilled foods – smoky addition with smoky savor wines, charred texture with meatier wines (Grenache)

4. What are some wines you would suggest with…steak..chicken, vegetables, fish?

5. What are some general summer/spring wines?

Sparkling Shiraz

Aromatic Whites – Riesling, Gewurtz, CB, Viognier, SB – torrontes, albarino, Gruner

6. What are some upcoming events for Just Grapes?

4^th Annual Grill Out (July 2^nd)

More info at www.justgrapes.net or 312-627-WINE

Discounts for Hereschicago.com visitors and listeners to the audio interview:

20% off mentioned wines – Text “Grapes Grill” to 39970 or visit us and enter coupon code “GW20” – expires 6/30/08 and is not valid with any other discounts, coupons or free delivery service.

Complimentary $25 Tasting Card – Text “Grapes Planner” to 39970 or enter coupon code “MP25” – limit 1 per person, expires 6/30/08.

Just Grapes is a Planner Preferred Vendor on , Chicago’s Online Resource Guide and Directory for Chicago Meetings and Special Events.

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Guidebooks and travel sites offer some great advice and insight on how to find and enjoy what Chicago has to offer.   But, savvy travelers know long-time locals often can provide an unparalleled perspective on a great city like Chicago.   Here are five “must-do” activities suggested by a life-long Chicagoan.

1. See Chicago from the Water.   The Chicago skyline truly is one of the most dynamic and compelling urban vistas in the world.   From the towering modern office buildings to the span of classic buildings along Michigan Avenue, the skyline is breathtaking and best appreciated from a distance.   Outside of flying, the best way to view the skyline is by water.    Many boat tour operators dock along the Chicago River near Michigan Avenue and offer hour-long or longer tours from May through October; the cost is around $25 for adults.   Some feature commentary on the landmark buildings along the river, and some pass through the locks onto Lake Michigan.   Or, visitors can take the Chicago Water Taxi from the foot of the Wrigley Building (400 N. Michigan Av.) to the dock at Madison Street.  The 11-minute ride costs just $2 each way.

2. See Chicago from on High.  The landscape surrounding Chicago is flat.  Very flat.  The only way to take in full depth and breadth of the area is from a very tall building.    On a good, clear day, it’s possible to view as far north as Wisconsin and east into Indiana and Michigan.  Some hotels offer dramatic views of the city, but the best perspective comes from an observation deck.    The Sears Tower Skydeck in the building of the same name rises 103 stories or 1,353 feet in the air, offering 360-degree views.   Another option is the John Hancock Observatory, which soars 94 floors along North Michigan Avenue.  Both observatories charge admission fees, and crowds can be lengthy, especially on clear summer days.  Another option:  visit the Signature Room restaurant and lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock building.  There’s no admission fee, but you’ll get a tremendous view for the price of a cocktail.

3. Ride the El.  Chicago’s “el” – the elevated rapid transit network operated by the Chicago Transit Authority — is how many get to and from work.  But it’s also a great way to see neighborhoods from a unique viewpoint.   The most interesting line is the Brown Line, which winds its way from downtown through hip and historic neighborhoods.   Pick up the Brown Line el at the Clark and Lake station and head north.   Your train will twist and turn its way through Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Ravenswood.    Along the way, you’ll see historic homes and businesses, and even get peeks of the downtown skyline.   Exit at Armitage Avenue for some high-end shopping, or continue up to Southport Avenue for dining and clubs.   The cost is $2 per ride.

4. Eat an Italian Beef.  Deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs originated here, of course, but these days, good examples of these culinary mainstays can be found outside the city.  But another iconic comfort food item really can only be found here.  It’s the Italian beef sandwich.  Not a Philly or French Dip, the Italian beef is seasoned roast beef cooked in natural juices and served on Italian bread.  Order one dry (no juice) or wet (dipped), and opt for hot peppers (called giardiniera) or sweet peppers.    Every beef stand has its own carefully guarded recipes.  In the downtown area, two stands stand out:  Mr. Beef on Orleans Street or Al’s Beef on Ontario Street.    Remember to take lots of napkins.  Expect to pay around $5 to $6 per sandwich.

5. Visit Lincoln Park.    Some clarification:  There is both a 1,200-acre park and a cool adjacent neighborhood named after the 16th President.    Both offer plenty of things to do without spending a lot of money.  The park,  located just north of downtown, stretches along Lake Michigan for around two miles and features the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, a couple of beaches, running paths, harbors, tennis courts, a golf course, a summer theater and a driving range.  Stroll west to explore pocket neighborhoods like Old Town, DePaul and Sheffield where tree-lined streets are flanked by turn-of-the-century brownstones, greystones and row houses.  Restaurants, bars and shopping abound, especially along North Clark Street.  Getting to Lincoln Park is easy from downtown.  Take the #151 Sheridan bus along North Michigan Avenue and exit when you reach the park.

Visit for Chicago Restaurants, Private Event Space, Chicago Charter Boats, Chicago Bus Companies, Chicago Team Building Companies, Attractions and Sightseeing Tours at Hereschicago.com.

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is your guide and Chicago holiday party directory featuring Holiday party venues in Chicago that have group and private event space for your next corporate holiday party.  Video site tours are available for most venues on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Directory for business meetings, holiday parties, conferences and companies seeking function space.

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MEETING SUPPLIERS! Sign up for your free listing on Meetings TV and Start Welcoming More Meeting and Convention Business!

MeetingsTV.com, the meetings and hospitality’s 1^st global video portal announces its launch to the global meetings and hospitality industry.  Meetings TV is the global video directory featuring meeting and event venues and services worldwide and combines the powerful affects of Video along with a robust Supplier Directory, and Web 2.0 community.

During our initial launch phase, we are offering Showcase, Premium and Basic listings at NO CHARGE to the meetings and hospitality supplier community.  No hooks, not gotchas, no “put your credit card down but we won’t charge you”, just a free listing on MeetingTV.com for meeting and hospitality vendors and destinations!  In addition, if you have a video, we are offering you the opportunity to uploade your video in your listing FOR FREE

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Registration is easy.  Visit www.meetingstv.com today.  From the home page, watch our introductory video, listen to our podcast interview about the development of Meetings TV and learn a little bit more about the benefits of submitting your FREE LISTING on Meetings TV.  Then, click on the submit your listing tab in the top right navigation, select the category that’s right for you and submit your listing:

Showcase Listing – Perfect for CVB’s that have lots of product, and destination videos to upload, or any category of supplier that has a video of their facility or company.  When you register, it will ask for your credit card, but, just enter the promo code Beta in the promo code section.  This listing is absolutely free!

Premium Listing – Great for hotels & resorts, restaurants, attractions, and meeting management companies.  When you register, it will ask for your credit card, but, just enter the promo code Beta in the promo code section.  This listing is absolutely free!

Basic Listing – Ideal for transportation service providers, golf courses, audio-visual and meeting & event service companies.   When you register, it will ask for your credit card, but, just enter the promo code Beta in the promo code section.  This listing is absolutely free!

** Remember, there’s no charge for your listing in any category, nor is there any obligation to renew. 

Sign up for your complimentary Showcase, Premium or Basic listing today, and pass this message along to your colleagues in the meetings and events business so they too can take advantage of this complimentary exposure.

If you have questions, please email Jim Grillo, CMP at jim@meetingstv.com

Meetings TV is a Premier Tourism Marketing and Online DMC, Inc. Company. 

Website: www.meetingstv.com

About Meetings TV -

On Meetings TV, Meeting and Event Planners now have the opportunity to get “an inside look” via video site tours of destinations, hotels, meeting venues and service providers for their meeting, conference or event. 

MeetingsTV.com, a partnership between Online DMC, Inc. and Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. is the first video directory to bring video on-demand of meeting, convention and hospitality industry destinations, hotels, meeting venues and meeting services worldwide. 

“The development of Meetings TV has been in the works for over two years,” states Jim Grillo, partner of the firm.  “Ironically we conceived the idea before the explosion of user-generated video from sites like You Tube!  It was important for us to get our concept down, find the right technology partners who could deliver cost-effective solutions and introduce our concept to the world-wide meetings market.”

The Meetings TV platform allows for planners to search for resources by destination, by category or by keyword.  “We felt it was important to represent all segments of the market, provide free video bandwidth and affordable listing options for suppliers,” says Grillo.

  “So whether you’re at the initial phase of searching for destinations, trying to narrow down hotel selections, or searching for transportation providers, DMC’s or caterers, Meetings TV will have the solution providers listed in our comprehensive directory with or without video.” 

As part of the firm’s beta launch, supplier members who register for a basic, premier or showcase listing is entitled to post their video free of charge.  Additionally, the firm is working with third party video production companies to provide cost-effective solutions on custom video for any organization that does not currently have video. 

“From a marketing standpoint, videos not only help get your message in front of your customers but extend your reach, making it easier to promote and sell your products and services.  Video advertising brings a more educated planner and saves both the planner and supplier a lot of time by delivering a “look inside” meeting venues and services.  We encourage meeting venues and services to take advantage of signing up for a free listing and/or posting their video on Meetings TV” says Grillo.

To learn more about Meetings TV, visit our website at www.meetingstv.com or contact Meetings TV at (630) 794-0696

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Jim Grillo, CMP, President of

I had the opportunity to present a session “Jazzed with Jim” to the leaders of the Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area Chapter (MPI CAC) during their leadership conference held on July 12, 2007 at the Doubletree Hotel Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois. 

To summarize a leader:

Leaders “lead” by example – Leaders listen – Leaders motivate – Volunteer leaders need to set clear goals and objectives – Leaders need to work together for the common good of the association – Leaders are like a “chord” on the guitar – there are many variations of a chord, but, it makes up a beautiful sound – Leaders need to continue to “tune” their committees – Tune your committee when it goes out of tune – Different chords represent a song where all committees are workng together for a common cause (song). 

To join Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area Chapter, visit www.mpicac.org

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Tips for Innovative Meetings and Events (T.I.M.E.)

Topic: Entertainment: 

Ahh's, Haha’s and Ahha’s
Date: October 2005
Written and Published by Sue Tinnish, 847.394.9857, stinnish@ameritech.net
U. S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1539-1833

Welcome

Entertainment is often an essential element in meetings or events. And while entertainment is traditionally thought to be for entertainment value itself, I believe that entertainment is valuable on many more levels.

Sue Sue Tinnish

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