Last month, we joined Chef/Principal at Monteverde Restaurant and Bravo Top Chef season 9 runner-up Sarah Grueneberg for some cooking on the platform in Polk Bros Park at the Navy Pier. She showed us how to take the pressure off summer entertaining, explained why restaurant food really does taste richer, and taught us that Chicago used to be the celery capital of the world. Plus, she gave us some easy (and tasty) summer recipes. See the full recap below.

To build on the momentum of The 77 Project, this summer, in partnership with Xfinity and in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, we’re presenting Platforms in the Park, a city-wide initiative to empower, connect, inspire, and activate all of Chicago through local, community-led experiences.