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Get a first look--and taste--at Michelin-recognized chef Christian Hunter's new restaurant at this Sunday supper soiree

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/21 .. new-restaurant-at-this-sunday-supper-soiree.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 15:12 GMT by Time Out
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Christian Hunter Opens a New Culinary Chapter in Chicago – First‑Look Supper Soirée

For food lovers in the Windy City, the name Christian Hunter is almost synonymous with upscale, modern American cuisine. The Michelin‑recognized chef has built a reputation for marrying bold flavors with meticulous technique, and his newest venture is set to push those boundaries even further. On Sunday, 12 Oct 2025, the chef will host a first‑look supper soirée that offers an exclusive preview of his forthcoming restaurant, “The Garden Table,” located in the heart of downtown Chicago.

The event, held at the historic Lurie Pavilion, will run from 5 pm to 10 pm and will feature a six‑course tasting menu that promises to showcase the chef’s signature “seasonal symphony” approach. Each dish will be paired with a thoughtfully selected wine or spirit, and guests will have the opportunity to meet the culinary team behind the kitchen. Reservations for the evening are available through the restaurant’s website, which also offers a live streaming option for those who can’t make the trip to Chicago.

A New Concept in a Familiar Space

“The Garden Table” occupies a renovated loft space originally built in the 1920s, and the design team has worked to preserve its historic charm while injecting contemporary, eco‑friendly touches. The open‑concept kitchen is visible from the dining area, allowing diners to watch the artistry unfold in real time. According to the restaurant’s own page, the interior is “a celebration of natural light and reclaimed materials,” and the centerpiece is a living wall of herbs that feeds directly into the kitchen’s ingredient supply.

On the site’s “About” section, Chef Hunter explains that the new concept is a “conversation with nature.” “I’ve always been fascinated by how the season shapes a dish, and I want the restaurant to reflect that dynamic,” he says. “The garden is not just an aesthetic; it’s a living pantry. Each season brings new flavors, new textures, and new stories to tell.”

The menu will revolve around locally sourced ingredients from the Chicago River Valley, with a particular emphasis on root vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, and game meats. A highlight of the first tasting evening is a “Pastrami Carpaccio” featuring a house‑made ragu and a truffle foam, followed by a “Bison Tartare” finished with a quail egg yolk. The chef also hinted at a surprise dessert that will be a deconstructed take on Chicago’s classic deep‑dish pizza, topped with mascarpone and a drizzle of aged balsamic.

A Chef with a Michelin Legacy

Christian Hunter’s culinary journey began at a small bistro in New York, before moving on to work in Michelin‑starred kitchens across Europe. He later returned to the United States, opening “Hunters,” a downtown Chicago steakhouse that earned a Michelin star in 2018. The Michelin Guide’s description of the restaurant—“a refined, modern steakhouse with a focus on seasonal produce and impeccable technique”—still lingers in the city’s collective culinary memory.

Hunter’s reputation extends beyond the Michelin Guide. He has been featured on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and has won multiple James Beard awards for “Best New Restaurant” and “Best Chef, Mid‑West.” His commitment to sustainability is evident in his frequent use of regenerative farming practices and a zero‑waste kitchen. “Sustainability is not a buzzword; it’s a responsibility,” he told a recent interview on the Chicago Food Network.

The restaurant’s website lists a partnership with the Chicago Green Food Alliance, ensuring that all produce is locally grown and that the restaurant’s carbon footprint is minimized through innovative energy‑efficient systems. The “Sustainability” page also details the restaurant’s commitment to a 30‑percent reduction in food waste by 2026, with plans to donate excess produce to local food banks.

The Sunday Supper Soirée: An Experience, Not Just a Meal

The supper soirée is being marketed as an immersive culinary experience rather than a conventional dinner event. Guests will begin with a welcome cocktail crafted from locally harvested herbs, then move through the tasting courses, each paired with a narrative that explains the source, the season, and the chef’s creative intent. A brief Q&A session will conclude the evening, giving attendees the chance to ask Hunter directly about his inspirations, challenges, and future plans.

The price for the tasting menu is set at $120 per person, which includes two courses of wine. However, for those who want to extend the experience, the restaurant offers a “Chef’s Dinner” experience on Saturdays that includes a 12‑course tasting and a private tour of the kitchen. Reservations for the full experience can be made through the restaurant’s online booking system, which is integrated with the Chicago Reservations Alliance for a seamless user experience.

The Road Ahead

While the supper soirée offers a tantalizing glimpse of what “The Garden Table” will become, the restaurant’s official grand opening is slated for 1 Nov 2025. The opening will feature a “Chef’s Welcome” event with a live kitchen demonstration and a special menu that will run for a week. The restaurant’s press releases promise that the opening will be a “celebration of the season’s bounty, a showcase of culinary craftsmanship, and a testament to the city’s vibrant food culture.”

For those interested in staying updated, the restaurant’s website offers a subscription to its newsletter, which will feature upcoming events, menu updates, and behind‑the‑scenes stories from the kitchen. The site also links to the Michelin Guide’s page on Christian Hunter’s earlier work, providing an in‑depth look at the accolades that helped shape his culinary philosophy.

In sum, Christian Hunter’s new restaurant is poised to become another landmark in Chicago’s dining scene. With a strong focus on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and an intimate, interactive dining format, “The Garden Table” promises to deliver not just a meal but an experience that honors the city’s rich culinary heritage and its future. The Sunday supper soirée is a perfect first step into this exciting new chapter, offering food lovers a chance to taste what’s next and to share in the chef’s vision for a more sustainable, flavorful Chicago.