Sam Zell Does It Again!

Zell photo via Businessweek.

Here's a question I need desperately answered:

Who do I need to bribe to get an invitation to Sam Zell's birthday blowout next year?!

The real estate mogul threw his infamous bash Saturday at a sprawling warehouse at 30th and Pulaski streets, and I have no idea who the 800 guests were, but I can tell you that James Taylor performed for an hour. Equally impressive is the chef lineup that read like a who's who on Chicago's culinary scene.


Here's an exclusive photo from Sam Zell's birthday party Saturday. (Photo: Ultimate Insider)

Ryan Poli of the forthcoming Tavernita made foie mousse with cherry compote, pork belly sliders with pickled onion apple jam, and oysters in red wine vinegar and confit shallots.

Cleetus Friedman (City Provisions Delicatessen) cranked out four different types of inventive sausages typically found on his menu: Cheddar brats; homemade corn beef ground with mustard and beer-braised cabbage (all the ingredients of what’s in a corn beef sandwich); tomato basil with Parmesan; and lamb meatballs with a Tzatziki dipping sauce.

Also whipping up signature bites were pastry chef Gale Gand, Bill Kim (Belly Shack/Urban Belly), Koren Grieveson (avec), Paul Kahan (Blackbird) and Jessie Oloroso (Black Dog Gelato).

My sources tell me that Kahan also brought along the Big Star taco truck, as well as Shaw's Crab House and Joe's Stone Crab were also responsible for some of the food.

The atmosphere was circus-like, with contortionists, fire-eaters and other performers exciting the crowd.