StreetFood Artistry Festival

Two Chicago women found a new way to experience food trucks, food carts and pop-up restaurants

An emerging trend has rolled its way onto the Chicago food scene – it seems you can’t stroll a city block without running into gourmet food trucks, food carts and pop-up restaurants. Two Chicago women with a passion for the city’s blossoming street food culture thought it was time for a festival to celebrate it, resulting in the birth of StreetFood Artistry.

The co-founders were both born and raised in Chicago. Patrice Perkins, an attorney, entrepreneur and lifestyle writer, and Alicia August-Wright, the founder and event director of an event and design company, met through a mutual friend eight years ago. They came up with the idea for StreetFood Artistry, which Ms. Perkins describes as a fresh concept to the city, in August 2010.

“Chicago’s a little bit behind in terms of the food truck industry,” Ms. Perkins says. “Other cities were doing their food truck festivals and we thought it’d be a really great thing to bring to Chicago, especially since we’re such a culinary and festival mecca. A street food festival would be a great new addition.”

Plus, she adds, “With the street food festival, it’ll be one more way to put a stamp on the summer scene in Chicago.”

Because of the duo’s love and passion for art, the festival is more than just a celebration of street food, but of blend of street-inspired food and art, Ms. August-Wright says.

The festival will include live music entertainment, cooking demonstrations for children and adults, Chicago street art and photography exhibitions, a silent auction and of course, food tastings. Proceeds from the event will support Common Threads, Chicago Street Musicians and The University of Chicago Charter School.

Paving the way for StreetFood Artistry has had its bumps in the road. With street food being such a fledgling phenomenon in Chicago, the women had their work cut out for them.

“Because the food truck industry is so new here to Chicago, we really got snubbed quite a bit as soon as we said ‘food truck,’” Ms. Perkins says.

But once vendors and artists started hopping on board, it was a great feeling knowing that others could see the vision and appreciate it, Ms. August-Wright explains.

“The support has really been overwhelming for us,” Ms. Perkins says. “It was something we wanted to do because we felt passionate about it and wanted to be able to contribute to a city we care about. I don’t think that either of us expected the amount of support.” Adds Ms. August-Wright, “Not so soon!”

But the enthusiastic response solidified their plans for the future. “We plan to do it every year,” Ms. Perkins says. “The overall theme will always be StreetFood Artistry, but we plan on putting a different twist on it every year.”

StreetFood Artistry will take place on August 14 from 1-7pm at the Galleria Marchetti. Tickets can be purchased at StreetFood Artistry website.

Five Can't-Miss Attractions at StreetFood Artistry
1. Live Interactive Photo Shoot Don’t miss the Geraldine Rodriguez-created interactive experience of “E.T. Meets Willy Wonka,” in which models will couture clothing designed with nostalgic candy.
2. Mixology Class VIP ticket holders can attend a private mixology class given by Lynn House, chief mixologist of Blackbird.
3. M.A.D.D. Rhythms Watch the tap performance group, composed of young dancers from all over Chicago, showcase their skills.
4. Art Exhibit Enjoy the street art exhibit curated by Three Peas Art Lounge.
5. Demo Classes Both kids and adults can learn from the best as Chef Eric Paul leads the children’s class and Chef Julius Russel leads the adult class.