First Annual Artisan Producer Festival at Chicago French Market, April 30

Don't miss the First Annual Artisan Producer Festival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at the Chicago French Market ( 131 N. Clinton St. , Chicago ; (312) 575-0306). The no-cost event offers the chance to meet more than 35 featured culinary artisans, sample products and celebrate small batch foods, beers and wine. 

Event organizer Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine has put together an incredible lineup of more than 35 producers, featuring more than 12 cheese makers including:

Prairie Fruits Farm- Illinois

Zingerman's Creamery- Michigan

Jasper Hill Farm- Vermont

Vermont Creamery- Vermont

Visit with a variety of artisans who produce distinctive sweet and savory accompaniments including:

Seedling Farms- Michigan

Ames Honey- Minnesota

Potter's Organic Margy Crackers-Wisconsin

Bennison's Bakery-Wisconsin

Quince & Apple Handmade Preserves- Wisconsin

Half Acre Beer Company- Chicago

Goose Island Brewery- Chicago

Salumeria Bieillese- New York

Sourpuss Pickles- New York

Local Chicago Favorites:

DAS Caramelini

Sweet Margy Confections

Bennison's Bakery

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine also is excited to introduce Sour Puss Pickles, a line of small batch pickled vegetables from Brooklyn, N.Y. Sour Puss Pickles works directly with local farms in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania to guarantee the quality and freshness of the raw ingredient used in their pickles. Product line includes ginger carrots, mustard tarragon asparagus and peppered okra for $12 per 16 ounce jar.

Here's your chance to learn how to cure meats. Chicago French Market's Fumare Meats is featuring Randy Ream from Elburn meats, who will talk about curing, smoking and cooking meat.

Canday Le Chocolatier is demonstrating the art of chocolate making and Saigon Sisters is demonstrating how to make spring rolls.

Other Chicago French Market artisans participating include Abbey Brown Artisan Soaps, Chicago Organics, City Fresh Market, Delightful Pastries, Les Fleurs, Produce Express, RAW, Sweet Miss Giving's and Vanille Patisserie.