Tom Colicchio Hosts First-Ever NRA Bash

Here's your chance to schmooze with the one and only Tom Colicchio—head judge of Bravo's Top Chef reality show.

He's set to host the National Restaurant Association's first-ever Restaurants Rock party, happening 9pm-midnight May 22 at LaSalle Power Co.

We're especially excited about this event because the Star of the Bar finale takes place, when some of the country's top bartenders square off against one another with their signature cocktails.

Colicchio and master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim will serve as judges, so these guys (and gal) had better be on their best game. The six semi-finalists will mix, stir and shake their cocktails live on the exhibit floor in front of industry leaders noon-3pm May 22 at the NRA Show.

Then the top three finalists, as selected by the convention's attendees, will advance to the final round of live competition that evening. The winner gets a $5,000 cash prize. Chicago's own Dante LoPresti (Double A) is one of the semi-finalists and will be whipping up his Pink Lion cocktail.

Tickets are free for NRA attendees (sign up for tickets here) and $50 for non-attendees. Proceeds benefit the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ProStart program.