A weekend in Chicago

A classic Chicago River view of downtown Chicago.

It's still cold but it's clear here in "The Windy City." Larry spent Saturday and Sunday at Kendall College at a class on "American Baking in the Heartland"sponsored by the Bread Bakers Guild of America. Gerry spent the two days trying to keep warm while walking through (and taking pictures) of downtown Chicago....where there's a phenomenal variety of architectural styles.




Among the bakery items made during the class were (clockwise from left) strawberry-whipped cream pazckis (Polish-style filled donuts), apple strudel, bienenstich (German pastry cream-whipped cream filled pastries with candied almond topping, custard-filled pazckis, and fruit filed kolachkys. Unfortunately, most of the items are too time-intensive to fit into our market production schedule.


Instructor Jory Downer, owner of Bennison's Bakery, Evanston, stretches paper-thin strudel dough





Streusel-topped apple pie --- delicious and baked in a brown paper bag.


New and old architectural styles are side-by-side throughout the city.


The Chicago Tribune tower from Michigan Avenue





Four (elevated) L train lines circle "The Loop" providing good service to most parts of the city.


The second most visited tourist spot in Chicago is Milennium Park built over Illinois Central Railroad tracks. It's an amazing space with all sorts of interesting features including the "Cloud Gate" sculpture. 








A view of Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan from the top of the John Hancock Center, the city's second tallest building.