Handcarved jamón ibérico station
THE PARTY On July 13, Chicago’s best and brightest got an exclusive preview of Jaleo, the fifth location of ThinkFoodGroup CEO and chef José Andrés’ most personal restaurant concept, two days before its official debut in River North. Guests toured the space while noshing on passed appetizers—think handcarved jamón ibérico, chicken croquettas and Spanish flan—washed down with signature gin and tonics and sangria. A live flamenco performance surprised the crowd, setting an energetic tone for the rest of the night. THE PEOPLE Among the select crowd invited to the celebratory affair, NBC’s Pam Oliver made an appearance, as did influencer Bailey McGuire (@hangry_chicago) and ThinkFoodGroup co-founder Rob Wilder. Other notable guests included Albert M. Friedman, CEO of Friedman Properties, and ThinkFoodGroup President Sam Bakhshandehpour. THE PINNACLE Partygoers were treated to a sneak peek of Jaleo’s sister concept Pigtail, a bespoke cocktail experience. The speakeasy, opening in Jaleo’s basement this fall, will offer personalized cocktail flights alongside a curated bar menu, providing a casual yet elegant experience.
Rob Wilder, Albert M. Friedman and Sam Bakhshandehpour
Matt Gillis, Jen Spears and Stacey Vassil
Bailey McGuire and Alexis Cohen shared a toast.
A surprise flamenco performance captivated the crowd.
Guests struck a pose at the carving station.
Photography by: COURTESY OF THINKFOODGROUP
