Chicago Star Media and Mariano’s Lakeshore East toast to success with celebrity friends and supporters

Chicago Star Media and Mariano’s Lakeshore East brought together a terrific collection of friends, supporters, advertisers and familiar Chicago faces for a celebration on Aug. 27 at the Mariano’s Lakeshore East terrace.

The evening was a chance to celebrate Chicago Star Media’s success and, more importantly, the people and businesses who have supported us along the way. There was plenty of food, plenty of catching up and, of course, plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

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VIP guests included Chef Art Smith, Grant DePorter, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Maureen and Marc Schulman, Howard and Judy Tullman, Sylvia Perez, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham, John Robak, the Landan Twins, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham, Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen and Michael Kutza, along with Chicago Star Media supporters, advertisers and friends.

Amanda Puck, Director of Strategic Brand Development for Mariano’s, and the Mariano’s team generously provided the setting and hospitality for the Chicago Star Media celebration. Amanda surprised us with a gorgeous custom cake created especially for the occasion, while DJ Fathom handled the music, turning the terrace turned into a wonderful Chicago reunion. 

And there was plenty to eat. Eleven City Diner’s Brad Rubin poured Serious Mary Mix, while Dietz & Watson served London broil skewers and Salumi Chicago showcased its new packages of sliced artisan salumi. Local Style Chips brought kettle-cooked Chicago-inspired crunch, while Avinola Granola offered its handcrafted blends.

Other treats included RMBR Kombucha, On The Rocks Cocktails, Laos to Your House, Ava’s Pet Palace Dog Treats and Mariano’s own fresh Oki Sushi. Murray’s Cheese added its signature boards, giving guests another reason to make the rounds.

Mariano’s also offered an early taste of its Chicken Nuggets, with 20 nuggets available for $5, proving once again that sometimes the simplest things disappear first at a party.

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The evening also gave guests a chance to hear from the people behind Chicago Star Media. Founder and Publisher Elaine Hyde shared remarks about the company's beginnings, followed by Associate Publisher Candace Jordan, who spoke about Chicago Star’s increase in readership, its positive message and the community that has grown around it. Contributing writer David Cohn also addressed the gathering.

The celebration continued a tradition of Chicago Star Media events at Mariano’s Lakeshore East, where the terrace has become a favorite gathering spot for the publication’s friends and supporters. Previous celebrations have similarly brought together advertisers, contributors, community leaders and longtime Chicago connections for good food, conversation and a chance to celebrate the people behind the publication.

For Chicago Star Media, nights like this are really about the people. The advertisers who believe in us, the supporters who cheer us on, the contributors who help tell Chicago’s stories and the friends who show up to celebrate right alongside us.

Special thanks to Mariano's Lakeshore East, Amanda, the Mariano’s team and everyone who joined us. We had plenty to celebrate.