Eat. Watch. Do. Thursday, December 18, 2025 | | |
| | | | | It's Thursday, Chicago. And this is the last Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter of the year. In that spirit of looking back at 2025, our entertainment desk is announcing its annual “Chicagoan of the Year” awards for books, music, museums and more. If you’re still hunting down gift ideas, this roundup of new cookbooks should help — my barbecue-obsessed uncle swears by local author Craig “Meathead” Goldwyn’s latest book of tips and tricks. And for a last dose of holiday hope, read our piece on Chicago’s Immigrant Orchestra and how its members are taking a stand through music despite uncertainty in the immigrant community. They have a show Sunday at Epiphany Center for the Arts. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday. We’ll be back in January. — Lauryn Azu, deputy editor | | | | From cheese wizards to BBQ Hall of Famers, we compiled a list of our top five cookbooks from the year. | | | | | “We either act defiant and strong and make our voices heard, or we go into hiding. And we’re not going to go hide.” | | | | | Inspiration Corporation’s job training program is essentially a culinary school bootcamp shortened and condensed to help individuals who have experienced poverty, homelessness or both get that foot in the door. | | | | | Detective stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and G.K. Chesterton blend to create this world premiere adaptation about a jewelry theft during a holiday pantomime. | | | | | Especially amid the rush of holiday gatherings, sweet wines are an everyday luxury worth rediscovering. They offer the kind of modern ritual many of us crave. | | | | | Some Chicagoans came to appreciate “Messiah” as a piece of music with appeal that extended beyond its Christian themes. | | | | | People who really love Cameron Winter and h | | | |
