The 6th Annual Great Chicago Food Bash!

Jan 28, 11:30 PM – Jan 29, 3:30 AM (UTC)

Chicago

Hoste, 1857 West 16th Street, Chicago, 60608

Chicago’s most delicious startup tradition is BACK – and it’s the tastiest way to kick off the year! Join us for a high-energy night of food, drinks, and community as we showcase Chicago’s rising food & beverage startups.

In-person event
PartySummit

About this event

Chicago’s most delicious startup tradition is BACK – and it’s the tastiest way to kick off the year!

Join us inside the Hoste cocktail venue, a modern industrial cocktail taproom in the heart of Pilsen, for a high-energy night of food, drinks, and community as we showcase Chicago’s rising food & beverage startups.

You’ll sample some of the city’s finest bites and sips, meet the founders behind them, and hear a fireside chat with a special guest who knows what it means to serve up success.

Enjoy a premium welcome cocktail (Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Negroni, or Martini) courtesy of Hoste. Then make your way around the festival floor sampling delicious bites and sips from 15 different exhibitors.


Sample Bites & Sips like:

  • Quesabirria tacos

  • High-protein savory dips

  • Gluten-free snacks

  • Premium finishing salts

  • Waffle & dessert bar

  • Alcohol & N/A spirits

  • Cane sugar sodas

  • Functional wellness shots

  • Hot chai

  • and more!


Enjoy a sit-down conversation with TOP CHEF COMPETITOR, CHOPPED CHAMPION, JAMES BEARD NOMINEE, AND CHICAGO RESTAURANTEUR CHEF ZUBAIR MOHAJIR.


This is lively conversation with old friends and new friends.


This is energy worthy of getting out of the house on a cold January night.


The 6th Annual Great Chicago Food Bash is the place to be.


NOTE:

  • This is our largest event of the year and we are likely to reach capacity. Don't delay on getting your tickets!


Want to be an exhibitor? Apply to exhibit no later than January 4th to showcase your product to 100+ new people. Exhibitor spots are limited and we prioritize earlier applications, so get your app in ASAP.

Past exhibitors have gone on to receive distribution at Costco, Whole Foods, and other major retailers, win grants, and raise large funding rounds.

Check out what happened

When

When

January 28 – 29, 2026
11:30 PM – 3:30 AM (UTC)

Agenda

11:30 PMDoors Open, Welcome Drink, and Food Festival!
1:15 AMFireside Chat with special guest
2:30 AMAfter-party!

Organizers

  • Rajiv Nathan

    Startup Grind & Startup Hypeman

    Director

  • Sid Khaitan

    Milna

    Head of Community

  • Brittany Canty

Global sponsor

Carta logo

Carta

Partners

Hoste LLC logo

Hoste LLC

Startup Hypeman logo

Startup Hypeman

Grow to Market logo

Grow to Market

About Startup Grind

This is Startup Grind. We are the world’s largest startup community.

Our Mission

To give startups everywhere the education and opportunities they need to build, grow, and scale their companies.

Our Values

We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving first, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself.

Tools & Discounts for Startups

Take advantage of resources and offers provided by organizations we know and love, designed to help you navigate the startup journey.

Global Conference

Our annual flagship event in Silicon Valley brings together thousands of startup teams, investors and organizations from all over the world.

Join the Startup Membership

This membership gives you free access to networking, events, mentorship, office hours, and other exclusive opportunities curated by Startup Grind HQ.