About the Event
Traditions
Passport to France is a celebration of French-inspired gastronomy, Chefs, products, wines, spirits, culture and entertainment. The event began 29 years ago on the third Thursday of November as the city's first, largest and most festive soiree in honor of the Beaujolais Nouveau's official uncorking. It has remained on this date each year ever since.

Passport to France is the largest event organized by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of Chicago. It welcomes over 800 guests from our local French-American community, including our corporate members, their employees, business clients and relations.

Funds generated at Passport to France go towards our mission to develop and promote a thriving economic relationship between the United States and France, as well as to serve the ongoing business needs of corporate and individual members throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

Nuances
Guests at this year's Passport to France will have access to 2 full floors of entertainment! Chefs, restaurants and vendors will await you in the 5th floor ballroom, 6th floor ballroom, and NEW 5th floor Spirits Lounge!

Tickets - Sold Out!

Advance registration for this year's event is required. Tickets will be on sale from Tuesday, October 1 through Tuesday, November 19. Please note that tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

 NEW This Year: Wristbands will be your ticket into the event.

Passport to France Ticket: Includes access to all Chefs, restaurants, vendors and entertainment from 6:30 - 9:30PM.

VIP Ticket: Includes exclusive access to Passport to France one hour before the event begins, from 5:30 - 6:30PM.

Participating Chefs 

Meet the men and women behind the magic!

Pastry Chef Peter Rios, Alliance Bakery

Chef Martial Noguier, Bistronomic

Chef Tim Kirker, Bistrot Zinc

Chef Larry Tio, Brasserie by LM

Chef Carrie Nahabedian, Brindille

Chef Greg Biggers, Café des Architectes

Chef Dominique Tougne, Chez Moi

Chef Bartholomew Marquardt, Frog n Snail

Chef Christopher Gawronski, Henri

Chef Jean-Claude Poilevey, La Sardine

Chef Thierry Meissonnier, LB Bistro & Pâtisserie

Chef Ben Reaves, LM Bistro

Chef Doug Psaltis, Paris Club

Pastry Chef Alison Bower, Ruth & Phil's Gourmet Ice Cream

Chef Cecilio Rodriguez, The Savoy

Chef Michael Garbin, Union League Club of Chicago

Pastry Chef Sophie Evanoff, Vanille Pâtisserie

Pastry Chef Elissa Narow, Vie

See photos and biographies of this year's attending Chefs.

Au Menu & Le Bar

Passport to France showcases the best of the best in French-inspired cuisines and beverages. From foie gras gougères to carmelized apple crêpes to chocolate entremets, French wines to beers to champagnes to armagnacs... this is an event that no foodie should miss!

La Musique

DJs Sadie and Madrid of White Label are back!

Raffle 

Feeling lucky? Win 2 roundtrip tickets from Chicago to Paris on Air France in this year's raffle! Tickets are $20 each and will be available for purchase in advance.

Silent Auction

Passport to France's infamous silent auction is back this year with new and exciting lots in travel, culinary packages, luxury items and more! Click here to view a description of all the lots. Happy Bidding!

Oh le Chocolat!

Back by popular demand, The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago will again be present a stunning showpiece made entirely of chocolate!

Photo Booth 

Guests are invited to step out of Chicago and into France for the evening, and what better way to remember your trip than by bringing a piece of it home with you? Photos print while you wait!