Last Saturday, we went to an alumni event at Spiaggia with Chef Tony Mantuano and his staff. We didn't really know what to expect, but it was billed as interactive. The deal was, there was a Sous Chef assigned to each table and a cooking station. Volunteers from each table could cook. I did the first course, which was a sauteed shrimp dish with garlic, hot Italian peppers, rosemary, flamed with brandy and served with arugula. Second course was handmade gnocchi sauteed with butter and cheese, followed by gelato and cookies. There was also the sommelier there and three types of wine. Here are two photos, one of the set up and one of me cooking. Our table's Sous was Kenny... a really nice young man.
![[Image: 25118_10100103312687360_1940219_55364208_7831325_n.jpg]](http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs437.snc3/25118_10100103312687360_1940219_55364208_7831325_n.jpg)
The event included a personally autographed copy of the chef's Wine Bar Food book.
Then after this lunch, we met our son's new girlfriend. She's really sweet and they seem to be happy together. Had drinks at the Signature Room, shopped a bit on Michigan Ave., then we went to see Blue Man Group, dinner was supposed to be at Cafe Ba Ba Ribba, but that didn't work out. We had Greek food at a neighborhood restaurant, instead. Then Sunday we spent the day at the Field Museum. I had so much fun!
![[Image: 25118_10100103313560610_1940219_55364215_8152574_n.jpg]](http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs457.ash1/25118_10100103313560610_1940219_55364215_8152574_n.jpg)
![[Image: 25118_10100103312687360_1940219_55364208_7831325_n.jpg]](http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs437.snc3/25118_10100103312687360_1940219_55364208_7831325_n.jpg)
The event included a personally autographed copy of the chef's Wine Bar Food book.
Then after this lunch, we met our son's new girlfriend. She's really sweet and they seem to be happy together. Had drinks at the Signature Room, shopped a bit on Michigan Ave., then we went to see Blue Man Group, dinner was supposed to be at Cafe Ba Ba Ribba, but that didn't work out. We had Greek food at a neighborhood restaurant, instead. Then Sunday we spent the day at the Field Museum. I had so much fun!