A month-long party at Edelweiss

What began as a local wedding celebration for King Ludwig I in Bavaria in 1810, is today one of Germany’s ­— and the world’s — most famous events. Oktoberfest, which actually starts in September, is one of the world’s largest festivals, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the 16-day event in Munich.

Skokie bakery a family affair

SKOKIE — Since opening Sweety Pies bakery in Skokie five years ago this fall, the family-run business has been serving up freshly baked pies, cakes, cookies and other delectable treats that promise to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Corgan’s Madame ZuZu’s makes long-awaited debut

HIGHLAND PARK — Ordinarily, the opening of a new teahouse wouldn’t generate much buzz beyond the proprietor’s friends, family and the local chamber. But as alt-rock fans across Chicagoland know by now, Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park’s Ravinia business district is not a typical teahouse.

Billy Corgan wants his tea house steeped in the aura of salons past

THOMAS CONNER: Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan opens his Highland Park Madame Zuzu’s Tea House Thursday. It’s an idea he said he’s had for a decade, one that’s finally budding with the venture housed in a former post office storefront at 582 Roger Williams Ave. “I’ve never had coffee,” the rocker says. “I’ve always hated the smell,”

Meez Meals: Some assembly required

It’s always better to cook for yourself, said Jen Moore, a Chicago mom, wife and businesswoman. “When people cook for themselves at home, they know exactly how much oil or cheese they’re putting in, etc., and they can make adjustments and customize on the fly,” …

De-Jred serves up mouth-watering Jamaican dishes

Don’t let the spelling of its name trip you up. De-Jred, the Skokie locale featuring fine Jamaican cuisine for the past three years, is simply the urban transliteration for “the dread” — as in dreadlocks.

Though not unique to Jamaica, the iconic roped locks popularized …

Off the vine and into the fry pan — fried green tomatoes

We all know a few green-thumbed folks —overall-clad bearers of hyper-local produce.

These urban farmers will call you up begging to unload an overabundance of green beans flourishing in their vegetable patch. Or, they sheepishly deliver an armload of pristine baby beets they’ve grown themselves …

Gotham City nosh

Everest Burger owner Margarita Challenger will debut the Batman Burger at her Glencoe restaurant beginning July 20, the day the newest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises” is released.