Zareen Syed –

Teacher Rita Leary engages with her students during a Pilot Light food education lesson on honey in her science classroom at Ashburn Elementary School on Sept. 17, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

How a Chicago educator uses food to teach science thanks to Pilot Light, a local chef-led nonprofit

September 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The nonprofit Pilot Light, which started in a single Chicago classroom with notable local chefs, now partners with administrators, schools and teachers in 26 states.

Fresh milk chocolate chip cookies are prepared Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at Bad Butter in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Chicago cookie guide: From home bakers to award-winning pastry chefs, our favorite cookies in Chicago

September 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In preparation for the 40th Tribune Holiday Cookie Contest, the Tribune food team has assembled our favorite spots around the city for a sweet cookie treat.

People box canned and packaged foods during an afternoon volunteer session at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on Sept. 11, 2026. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

New report points to worsening hunger crisis in Chicago, with 1 in 3 families facing food insecurity

September 14, 2026 at 3:11 p.m.

A new report released Monday by Chicago’s leading anti-hunger organization indicates a worsening hunger crisis across the city and its surrounding areas.

Samaria Pérez prepara repostería en la
cocina de su micropanadería casera el 5 de septiembre de
2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Cómo una repostera casera mexicana del suroeste de Chicago está ganando seguidores fieles

September 11, 2026 at 9:43 a.m.

Dado que cada vez son más los empresarios locales que evitan los elevados costes de los locales físicos y apuestan por negocios a menor escala, Pérez espera que la notable...

Samaria Pérez prepares pastries in the kitchen of her home microbakery on Sept. 5, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

How a Mexican home baker on Chicago’s southwest side is building a loyal following

September 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As more entrepreneurs avoid brick-and-mortar costs in favor of smaller operations, one baker hopes the care she puts into her pastries will help sustain her popularity.

A man crosses the street in front of a video game advertisement mural showing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in his "Iceman" pose in the 100 block of North Halsted Street on Sept. 1, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Iceman on ‘Hot Ones:’ Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams takes on popular YouTube series’ gauntlet of scorching wings

September 5, 2026 at 2:41 p.m.

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams faced the "Wings of Death" on the popular YouTube series "Hot Ones," hosted by Evanston native Sean Evans.

Food influencer Keith Lee appears at a free community relief event for Gary residents affected by recent storm damage, in the Roosevelt High School parking lot on Aug. 24, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Food influencer Keith Lee brings aid to Gary, where thousands have been without power for two weeks

August 24, 2026 at 8:37 p.m.

Food influencer and critic Keith Lee partnered with the Salvation Army and the city of Gary for a large-scale relief effort at Roosevelt HIgh School.

Stella’s Diner sits empty after it was closed on July 9, 2026, by Chicago officials for trouble with insects and rodents, Aug. 4, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Restaurant news: Wishbone to close — and Ann Sather to move into former Stella’s Diner space

August 5, 2026 at 12:45 p.m.

Ann Sather will move into the former Stella’s Diner location, while Wishbone also announced that it will permanently close soon.

Filemon Escamilla stocks a meat cooler at Fresh Market Place, 2600 N. Central Ave. in Chicago, July 16, 2026. Recent SNAP cuts have increased the threat of food insecurity for families who depend on the food benefit to purchase groceries. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Chicago grocers are severely affected by reductions to SNAP: ‘We need to bail out this industry’

August 6, 2026 at 4:46 p.m.

In Illinois, the implications threaten not only individual households but also the viability of the Chicago area's independent authorized SNAP retailers.

Brown Sugar Bakery on East 75th Street in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Brown Sugar Bakery, business next door broken into on South Side

July 30, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Police said one of the burglars who broke into Brown Sugar Bakery Wednesday also damaged a window of neighboring business.

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