The Bowtie Memoirs: Macello Re-Opening Event

Thursday, January 28, 2010:
On a frigid evening in January, Macello--the Chicago gem and Warehouse District favorite, re-opened its doors to a fabulous crowd of attendees. In my new position as Chief Wordsmith and Assistant to Julie Darling of Julie Darling (Darling Creative, Inc.), I had the opportunity to focus my efforts on my first PR event as part of the team. The work began weeks before as I had the honor of drafting a press release and invitation for the re-opening of Macello (which was closed earlier this year due to fire). Following the final edits and approval of said documents, I went to work pitching the information to local Chicago newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

| Macello Ristorante | 1235 West Lake Street | Chicago, Illinois |
(312) 850-9870
(3 photos below by Ryan M. Beshel)

The result? An evening of fine food and wine from the Italian region of Puglia, all brought tastefully to life by head chef Giovanni DeNigris. The event began at 7p.m. as notable guests from many Chicago publications, as well as friends and family of Macello, joined us from all over the city to celebrate the re-birth of this stellar Chicago spot. I greeted guests as they arrived and directed them to the appropriate areas while helping to make sure that everything was running smoothly.

Ryan M. Beshel, Julie Darling & Ashley Fidler: Team JD! (below)
(Photo by Chuan D. Vo (Owner and Photographer, Vofotos Photography
Blogger, ChicagoNow Blogs: Shots in the Dark...see the full spread from Macello HERE.)

It truly was a fantastic night with so many great attendees including many new friends, and even some of my "usual suspects". Notable guests included Kevin Aeh (Editor, Time Out Chicago), Danny Miller (Store Director, DNA 2050: Chicago), Quenten Schumacher (Senior Meeting Planner, Sg2), Bella Ventresca (Freelance Model), Ryan Erklin (Senior Network Administrator, TURNkey IT), Chuan D. Vo (Owner and Photographer, Vofotos Photography/Blogger, ChicagoNow Blogs: Shots in the Dark), and Ashley Fidler (Account Executive, Ro-Bro Marketing & Public Relations), among many other talented industry professionals. The event was a success, as more than 250 people showed up (I think we lost count after that) to support Macello and get an authentic taste of Puglia. The dining room was packed and Julie, Ashley and I couldn't have been happier to have so many outstanding individuals join us for such a wonderful evening...

What a crowd!
(Photo by Chuan D. Vo (Owner and Photographer, Vofotos Photography
Blogger, ChicagoNow Blogs: Shots in the Dark...see the full spread from Macello HERE.)

Please follow along as I continue to highlight some of Julie Darling's fabulous Chicago clients that I have the honor of representing with her as part of Team JD! Look out for a post on Chicago's hottest new boutique to buy a killer pair of denim, DNA 2050, as well as a story on an emerging Chicago designer who has just hit the fashion scene. Thank you all for the support as I continue my journey in my favorite city--the best city in the world...Chicago.

Truly,

R.M.B.

p.s. Special thanks goes out to the team at Macello who busted their butts to make this evening come to fruition, especially the lovely Angie Padula. Your hard work paid off! Ottimo lavoro, Ang!

Ryan M. Beshel (below)
(Photo by Chuan D. Vo (Owner and Photographer, Vofotos Photography
Blogger, ChicagoNow Blogs: Shots in the Dark...see the full spread from Macello HERE.)

Macello Grand Re-Opening Invitation

(By Ryan M. Beshel)

Head chef Giovanni DeNigris & Angie Padula
(Photo by Chuan D. Vo (Owner and Photographer, Vofotos Photography
Blogger, ChicagoNow Blogs: Shots in the Dark...see the full spread from Macello HERE.)