The 19th Annual Culinary Futures Reception will take place Tuesday, March 10, at McCormick Place during The Inspired Home Show 2026.
The reception, beginning at 5:45 p.m. CST in McCormick’s South Building room S105a, will celebrate past Culinary Futures scholarship winners. A special Teacher of the Year award will be presented to a Chicago Public Schools culinary educator during the reception.
Harold Import Company (HIC) and Culinary Futures, since 2008, have provided underserved youth with culinary training in high school, job placement and college scholarships. Through a partnership that began in 2022 with No Matter What, founded by former Culinary Futures scholarship recipient Kenneth Griffin, the Culinary Futures program in Chicago has evolved from its original culinary scholarship focus to reaching deeper into inner-city neighborhoods to open underserved youths to culinary education and career opportunities, according to Robert Laub, president of HIC and founder of Culinary Futures.
The Culinary Futures program also raises money to support Millie’s Camp, a summer camp for underserved youths to learn culinary arts and hospitality management, named in honor of Laub’s mother, Mildred Polansky, former president and owner of HIC.
Tickets are not required to attend the 2026 Culinary Futures Reception, which will feature an open bar with craft beer and wine. Donations are welcome during the reception, Laub said.
