Celebrating Chicago Star Media with Mariano's Lakeshore East, a party packed with local flavor

There are few things better than a gorgeous Chicago evening, great food, local flavors and the chance to celebrate the partnerships that help strengthen our communities every day.

That is exactly what we enjoyed at Mariano's Lakeshore East as we welcomed the team from Chicago Star Media, along with neighbors and local business partners, for a fantastic event on the patio. The event was filled with delicious samples, great conversations and a shared appreciation for the local businesses that make Chicago such a vibrant place to live, work and eat.

Guests had the chance to be among the first to try one of our newest favorites: Mariano's Chicken Nuggets, now available at an unbeatable value of 20 nuggets for just $5. Crispy, flavorful and perfect for sharing, they were a hit all evening long.

We were also grateful to highlight an incredible lineup of local and regional vendors: RMBR Kombucha served up refreshing, probiotic-packed beverages that delivered crisp flavor and plenty of fizz. Their handcrafted kombucha is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a delicious wellness-focused sip.

Local Style Chips brought bold Chicago-inspired flavor to every crunch. Their kettle-cooked chips showcased the creativity and hometown pride that make local brands so special.

On The Rocks Cocktails helped guests unwind with convenient, premium ready-to-drink cocktails crafted with quality ingredients and bar-quality flavor.

Our four-legged friends weren't forgotten thanks to Ava's Pet Palace Dog Treats, a local favorite offering wholesome treats that had pet lovers wagging their tails right alongside their pups.

Avinola Granola shared its handcrafted granola blends, packed with flavor, texture and carefully selected ingredients that make breakfast and snacking a little more exciting.

Guests also sampled the bold and flavorful offerings from Serious Mary Mix, whose premium Bloody Mary mixes brought just the right amount of spice and personality to the party.

Laos to Your House showcased the rich flavors and traditions of Lao cuisine, introducing attendees to authentic recipes and delicious bites inspired by generations of family cooking.

One of the culinary highlights of the evening came from Dietz & Watson, whose team prepared incredible London broil skewers that quickly became a crowd favorite. Their commitment to quality meats and ingredients was on full display.

Salumi Chicago introduced guests to their new packages of sliced salumi, offering artisan-crafted meats full of character, flavor and Chicago craftsmanship.

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Our own Mariano's team was proud to feature fresh, handcrafted Oki Sushi, demonstrating the quality and variety available every day in our stores.

And no gathering would be complete without the beautiful Murray's Cheese boards, featuring expertly curated cheeses and accompaniments that gave guests a chance to graze, discover new favorites and pair flavors throughout the evening.

We are incredibly thankful to Chicago Star Media for joining us, to our vendor partners for their delicious samples, and to everyone who came out to celebrate.