A who’s who of Chicago’s north shore enjoyed Westfield Old Orchard’s Wilde & Greene Restaurant + Natural Market (4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie: 847-679-2019) on September 8. The first of its kind in the United States and created by Canadian-based Natural Market Restaurants Corp., the innovative, onstage restaurant and open marketplace replaces the traditional food court at Westfield Old Orchard with a totally new building and an entirely new and contemporary approach to healthier dining and food shopping.
The evening was kicked off by an inventive musical group “The Singing Chefs” who sang an original rendition of Black Eyed Pea’s “I Gotta Feeling.” Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen welcomed the crowd, consisting of prominent Skokie officials, Natural Market Restaurant Corp. executives from Canada, Westfield Old Orchard executives, as well as local businessmen, foodies and supporters from throughout the north shore and Chicago. Mayor Van Dusen spoke of Wilde & Greene’s importance to the community, bringing more than 300 jobs and providing a new and unique dining destination for the city of Skokie. The opening ceremonies were MC’d by Mark Collins, Niles Township Government Trustee and concluded with a ribbon cutting by Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Brian McNeill (General Manager of Wilde & Greene) and Chris Barnett (Senior Vice President of Westfield, Inc.).
More than 400 people sipped cocktails and enjoyed samplings from their 18 open kitchens. From Paella to fresh oysters to maki sushi to hot-from-the-oven chocolate brownies to their signature Rösti potatoes, guests enjoyed tastes from around the globe.
Food and drinks were not the only draw of the evening! Models sporting styles fit for the runway, created by fashion design students from The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, were a featured attraction at the event. The original designs incorporated the Wilde & Greene logo and were inspired by the restaurant and marketplace’s approach to healthier dining and food shopping. The evening also featured performances by the Singing Chefs, The Cover Girls Violin Show and a live DJ.
