Chicago bakeries and restaurants celebrate National Honey Month

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More than 150 people in Chicago experienced the pure inspiration of honey last week as the National Honey Board capped off an exciting National Honey Month with a celebration of honey foods and beverages at Floriole Café & Bakery.

The event was open to the public and featured exceptional food and drinks from some of the top restaurants, breweries, and bakeries in Chicago. The Chicago Honey Co-Op also was on hand with an observation hive containing more than 10,000 bees!

Although the bees impressed attendees, the stars of the night were the chefs, brewers, and bakers who created amazing foods and drinks with honey as a central ingredient. Off Color Brewing served Eille, their exceptional Biere de Miel (honey beer), which is similar to a Saison and Biere de Guard with the addition of honey. The night’s menu featured:

Made with Honey Appetizers and Entrees

  • Honey Butter Fried Chicken - Fried Chicken Strips with Hot Honey Butter
  • Publican Quality Bread, The Publican, Publican Quality Meats - Honey Whole Wheat Canapé with Comté Cheese & Avocado Honey Mustard Butter
  • Cellar Door Provisions - Fermented Chili and Wildflower Honey Pain au Lait with House Made Butter

Made with Honey Sweets & Desserts

  • Floriole Cafe & Bakery - Honey Oat Panna Cotta
  • Bad Hunter - Honeyed Peach & Lavender Popsicle
  • Hoosier Mama Pie Company - Honey Pie

After indulging on made with honey foods, attendees were able to get up close and personal with more than 10,000 bees via an observation hive. Beekeepers from the Chicago Honey Co-Op were on hand to answer questions and explain to adults and kids alike how these amazing insects produce honey, and the role they play in pollinating some of our favorite fruits and vegetables.

After watching the bees, attendees were then able to sample three honey varietals, each with a distinct flavor and color, and learn how chefs, bakers, and brewers use honey varietals to create amazing flavor profiles in the foods and beverages they make.

The event was a big success. People ate exceptional foods made with honey, saw amazing bees at work and were inspired by the unique flavor profiles of honey varietals. It doesn’t get sweeter than that!

Thank you to all of our partner bakeries and restaurants who donated their time and food for the event, and even collected donations to support local honey bee health initiatives. Special thanks to Sandra Holl at Floriole Café, and her staff, for opening their doors to the community to celebrate honey and honey bees!

Next time you’re in Chicago, please visit these wonderful establishments that are inspired by honey bees and honey to make amazing food and drinks.