Chicago, where indoor dining was recently suspended for a second time due to skyrocketing rates of coronavirus, is trying to incentivize residents to support restaurants through off-premise orders.
The Take Out Chicago Campaign, which runs through Dec. 15, urges diners to place 10 takeout orders between now and then. Those who email the names of 10 different restaurants from which they’ve ordered meals will be entered into a drawing to win a “VIP tour of a select Chicago destination.”
Up to 10 winners will be selected, with proof of purchase is required before being declared a winner, the city said.
Chicago and much of Illinois reshut its dining rooms and bars late last month, under orders from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, amid rising COVID numbers.
Late last week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a $10 million aid program for independent restaurants and bars, to be funded through the city’s portion of CARES Act funds. Eligible businesses, selected via lottery, could receive grants of up to $10,000, Lightfoot said. Applications for the Chicago Hospitality Grant Program open later this month, with funds slated to be disbursed before the end of the year.
The city also launched a web portal to help laid-off restaurant and bar workers access workforce resources.
Chicago, which has long been known for its thriving dining scene, had hosted the James Beard Foundation Awards for several years before the pandemic.
Last month, the city announced the winners of a design contest created to find ways to extend Chicago’s outdoor dining season. The contest drew 643 submissions, with winning designs such as modular cubes with radiant heat and cozy cabins that could fit in a standard parking spot.
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