Bacon Wrapped Dates
Name: Bacon Wrapped Dates from Café Ba-Ba-Reeba
Induction Year: 2021
Category: Career Achievement in Support
Bio:This tasty treat from Chicago has been a fixture at KFM as much as the champions limo or the ugly plaid jacket.
Mike Cunningham and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba has proudly donated at least 1 vat (for lack of a better term) of bacon wrapped dates since 2005 and since that time has also donated over $4k worth of gift certificates. Many attendees look forward to the dates more than the golf. Though bacon-wrapped dates name will be engraved on the trophy, it’s recognition simply wouldn’t be possible without the remarkable support of Mike Cunningham, Alison Lowry, and Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Personal: Also referred to as ‘devils on horseback’, the dish is said to have Victorian origins. No one makes this dish better than Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant.
Bacon Wrapped Date's Thoughts on His Hall of Fame Induction:
“I have been honored to have been a part of the KFMCC for the past 16 years.
25 years ago – Michael H. Cunningham became the GM of Café Ba Ba Reeba. At that time the Restaurant was 10 years old. I was one of the original tapas on the menu but over time – misguided new Gringo Chefs went against tradition and delegated me off the menu & to the recipe book. It was indeed a painful rejection.
Mr. Cunningham’s first course of action was to peruse the menu & study the recipe book. He noticed me (BWD) & asked Chef Angel Gandarilla if I was a popular Tapa. The answer was “Hell yes Jefe!”. I was placed back on the menu to much fanfare & acclaim by the staff & guests. The rest is culinary history.
Café Ba Ba Reeba now sells 40,000 orders of Bacon Wrapped Dates annually. I am looking forward to my induction in 2021 & will do my best to honor the Award. I might even invite more of my fellow BWDs to attend this year’s event.
Buen Provecho.
BWD
PS. Visit my place in Lincoln Park – Kevin was well known there in his “Chicago Days” & may still have
connections for reservations.”