A bevy of Chicago chefs converge at TWO on September 8 for a whole hog dinner to end all whole hog dinners. The hog in question is a Mangalitsa pig, a curly haired breed of hog native to Hungary and revered for its lard density. Proceeds from the porcine feast benefit UN86’D, a charity created by restaurant industry professionals with the intent to provide financial relief for industry compatriots in need.

The only thing that could make a backyard feast at Bang Bang Pie Shop more tempting is a charitable undertone, which is what makes the 1st Annual Growing Power Home Dinner such a can’t-miss event. Taking place September 15 in Bang Bang’s lush backyard space, the dinner draws a wide swath of culinary talents from throughout the city, curating a family-style backyard dinner utilizing organic produce from Growing Power’s urban farms.

2013 will go down as the year of the Chicago distillery. The city has had standby local distilleries for years, from Koval Distillery to Leatherbee Distillers, but this year we’ve seen a mighty spate of new distilleries hit the scene. CH Distillery recently opened, with Rhine Hall and Chicago Distilling Company on the imminent horizon.