THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026

Tell City Council to Override Mayor Johnson's Veto!

Tell the Chicago City Council to override Mayor Johnson's veto of the ordinance to freeze the tip credit at 24%. City Council passed this ordinance 30-18, and we need to secure 4 more votes to override the veto.


Please join our call-to-action campaign to let your voice be heard! This campaign will automatically send an email to the 20 alders that did not support us. All you need to do is fill out the form and hit send.


Click here to send an email to the 20 alders that did not support us. We need your voices heard before the next City Council meeting on April 15!


Also, please share our video and call-to-action campaign on social media. Help us spread the word!


Latest News:

Congratulations to the James Beard Award Nominees

Close-up of a James Beard Award

© Eliesa Johnson for James Beard Foundation

The wait is over! The 2026 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award finalists have been announced, and we’re proud to celebrate Illinois’ incredible nominees:


  • Emerging Chef: Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
  • Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH): Norman Fenton, Cariño
  • Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH): Jacob Potashnick, Feld


As a proud host of the James Beard Foundation Awards, we look forward to honoring these culinary standouts at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, June 15. Let’s celebrate the best of the best.


Click here to read the full James Beard Awards announcement.

Vendor Applications for Taste of Chicago Are Now Open

Taste of Chicago 2026 logo

2026 Taste of Chicago vendor applications are officially open! From neighborhood staples to rising stars, food trucks to shared kitchens, this is your moment to show the city what you’ve got.


Join the virtual information session for potential food vendors on Tuesday, April 14 at 10am to learn more and get your questions answered.


Food vendor applications are due Monday, April 20. Click here for more information on vendor applications or to apply.

Beyond the Plate: Reducing Waste, Saving Money, Supporting Communities

Cook County Small Business Source logo

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Nourishing Hope, and the Cook County Small Business Source for an engaging and practical webinar designed specifically for restaurant operators and leaders. This session will explore how your business can reduce food waste while turning surplus into meaningful community impact.


You’ll gain a clear understanding of available tax benefits and financial incentives for food donation, along with strategies to strengthen your brand through authentic community engagement. We’ll also cover how to involve your team in purpose-driven initiatives that boost morale and retention, and how to build partnerships that are simple, compliant, and operationally realistic.


Date: Thursday, April 9



Time: 10am CT


Click here to register for the Beyond the Plate webinar.

2026 Chef's Table Tickets on Sale

Invitation to Chef's Table on April 23rd at 6:30 PM

Join us at this year's 47th Annual Chef's Table presented by Home Grown Program supported by Sysco, 8 Hospitality, and the Illinois Pork Producers Association. The event will take place at Rockwell on the River on Thursday, April 23 with more than 30 tasting stations from restaurants throughout Chicago. This event raises funds for the IRA Educational Foundation, so get your ticket today!

 

Click here to purchase tickets to Chef's Table.

 

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Megan DuPont for more information. 

 

For information about donating to the silent auction or questions regarding ticketing, please contact Carmen Loi.

Save the Date for Meet the Experts

Save the Date flyer for Meet the Experts

Save the date! Join us on Wednesday, May 13 for Meet the Experts, featuring inspiring women in hospitality as our keynote speakers. Connect with industry leaders, gain practical insights, and get your questions answered in an engaging, conversational setting.


Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired.

Last Call: Lock In $149 Before April 6 (Or Pay $50 More)

NRA Show Ad that says Spark New Inspiration

The Show's in Your Backyard. Missing It? That's a Red Flag.

Listen up: The National Restaurant Association Show is literally right here, and the Advanced Rate clock is ticking.

 

Register NOW for your expo hall badge at just $149. Wait until April 7? You're paying $199. That's a $50 upcharge you don't need when you're already juggling rising costs and staffing headaches.

 

Here's What You're Getting Access To:

  • Next-Level Tech & Equipment: Automated kitchen solutions that save time (and your sanity). AI tools that streamline operations. POS systems that actually work for you.
  • Trending Flavors & Culinary Innovation: See what's cooking at The Culinary Experience. Sample game-changing ingredients at A Taste of the States and the Global Food Expo. Stay ahead of what your customers are craving.
  • Real Solutions to Your Biggest Challenges: Rising costs? Labor shortages? Shifting consumer preferences? The Show floor is packed with suppliers, partners, and peers who get it—and have answers.
  • Connections That Count. Meet the manufacturers, distributors, and fellow operators who can help you level up. This isn't just browsing—it's building relationships that boost your bottom line.

 

Why This Matters for YOU:

You don't have to travel across the country. You don't have to blow your budget on flights and hotels. The premier foodservice event is happening in YOUR city. Your proximity is a power move—use it.

 

But only if you register before the Advanced Rate disappears on April 6 at 11:59 PM PST.

 

⏰ APRIL 6 DEADLINE | $149 EXPO HALL BADGE | SAVE $50

Don't crash out on this opportunity. The Show hits different when it's local—and your competition is already registered.

IRA New Member Spotlight

2026 IRA New Member Campaign banner with slogan

The IRA would like to thank all existing members and welcome the following new members: Big G's Food Service, BridgeWave, and Got a Guy 4 Hospitality.


New members who join this month receive a FREE ticket to Chef Table, and operators receive a FREE ticket to the National Restaurant Association Show.


For more information about the benefits of becoming an IRA member, contact Lisa Gilbert.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS

Tiers of corporate sponsors with their logos