The Food Experiments Chicago + Ticket Giveaway!

If you've ever entered a recipe contest here on FOOD52 and then wondered what to do next, well, the Food Experiments is the solution for you. Founded in 2009 by Nick Suarez and Theo Peck, the "Experiments" are cooking competitions for amateur chefs based around an ingredient or theme -- anything from beer to cheese, or from tacos to chocolate. Chefs create around 300 tasting samples of their original dish, which is then enjoyed by both the competition's spectators and the all-star panel of judges. The winner is awarded prices from brands like Le Creuset and Wusthof and, of course, eternal fame. That's in addition to a chance to compete at the National Food Experiment Championships in Brooklyn!

This summer, Food Experiments is taking their show on the road with a 16-city tour across the country, sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery -- and that's where you come in. The halfway point for the tour is happening in Chicago, IL on June 10, 2012 at the Bottom Lounge from 1:00-4:00pm. The judges panel includes Joe Doren of Franks 'n' Dawgs, Todd Stein of Piccolo Sogno Due, food writer David Hammond, Josh Modell of A.V. Club, and more, and 25 local chefs will be cooking up a tasting menu around the theme of sausage.

We're giving away two tickets to the Chicago Sausage Experiment, a $15 value that includes a free Brooklyn Brewery beer, 20 samples of the contesting chefs' creations, and a vote for the chef you'd like to see win. (The Food Experiments also donates a portion of their ticket sales to promote sustainability and local culinary education for disadvantaged children and teens -- an extra reason to feel good.)

Here's how it works: before Wednesday, June 6 at noon, email us at [email protected] with the subject line "Chicago Food Experiment" and your favorite sausage flavor. Is it pork and fennel? Merguez? Turkey? Let us know, and that afternoon we'll announce the winners!

Don't live near Chicago? Check out the Food Experiments tour schedule to see when there might be one near you. Good luck!