For the second year, Eli’s Cheesecake has given partial scholarships to graduates of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences who are attending the College of Agriculture, Consumer & Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. These Scholarships are given in the name of Aaron Easter, the late son of University of Illinois President Robert and Mrs. Cheryl Easter, and our founder, Eli M. Schulman and his dearest friend, Robert Hatoff, the Chairman of Allen Brothers Meats.

On Thursday, October 3rd, President Easter and Mrs. Easter hosted a Reception for our Scholarship Winners and Special Guests at the President’s Residence on the Campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.  Joining Maureen and Marc Schulman of Eli’s Cheesecake was William Hook, CHSAS Principal, Lucille Shaw, Assistant Principal and Sheila Fowler, Agriculture Department Chair.

We are very grateful to President Easter for his strong leadership of the University of Illinois and his interest in Graduates from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. CHSAS has been recognized recently by the White House Council of Advisors on Science and Technology for being the model program in high performance food education at the secondary level in the country. This success and recognition would not have been possible without the ongoing support of President Easter who promotes food education and the great opportunities for CHSAS and ACES graduates.

Last night, Eli’s Cheesecake gathered with the cast of Old Jews Telling Jokes to celebrate the show’s opening night.   The show pays tribute to classic comedy by offering audiences a fresh take on old favorites.  Old Jews Telling Jokes is now playing at The Royal George Theatre.  Tickets can be purchased here.  Check out a couple photos from the big opening night below.

A few weeks ago, Eli’s Cheesecake participated in one of the biggest culinary events of the summer, the Magnificent Taste.   The outdoor event, featuring 15 of Chicago’s most renown chefs, offered guests delicious tastes of all the great food Chicago had to offer.  Of course, no event would be complete without dessert, and Eli’s Cheesecake’s own Laurel Boger was on hand to pass out some of our blackberry cheesecake.  Check out the photos from the event below.

Last night, we headed out to Navy Pier for the opening-night benefit of EXPO CHICAGO, Vernissage.  The event exhibits art from some of the finest galleries around the world, with the proceeds funding programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.  Eli’s Cheesecake staff took in the culture and spoke with art-world elite, all while passing out our famous cheesecake.  Learn more about EXPO CHICAGO here and check out photos from last night’s event below.

Today, our bakery, cafe and office gathered together for a moment of silence and remembrance of the September 11 victims and survivors as we have each year for the past 12 years.

Twelve years ago today, we gathered together and saw images that were beyond belief.  As we gathered together today, we are grateful we are able to continue to work together.

Eli's Associates Remember September 11 With a Moment of Silence

Eli’s is a proud dessert sponsor of the Green Tie Ball, a gala benefiting Chicago Gateway Green,  a non-profit organization dedicated to greening and beautifying Chicago’s expressway, gateways, and neighborhoods.  It is the 22^nd anniversary for this event!  http://www.gatewaygreen.org/event/green-tie-ball/

We recently came across this “Book of Experience” written by our founder, Eli Schulman, in the 1940’s. He shared this booklet with friends and guests at his restaurant, Eli’s Ogden Huddle. It was located on Chicago’s west side at Ogden and Kedzie and was a favorite spot for celebrities and locals.

Eli was the ultimate entrepreneur and really knew how to take care of his guests. Our favorite gem from the booklet  is “Treat others as though you were the others” – important words to live by in business and also in life.   His slogan for the restaurant was “Good Food – Always!” Words of wisdom that we’re still committed to today.

Eli’s Cheesecake was proud to help Michigan Avenue Magazine celebrate their 5^th anniversary in print. The event was held at the Langham Chicago Hotel.

Special guest, and Grammy award-winning singer, Michelle Williams, helped Eli’s President, Marc Schulman, cut the big cake Eli’s made for the birthday bash. The guests enjoyed the cake.

Michelle Williams also performed a few songs, including “Happy Birthday” at the big celebration.  She is on the cover of Michigan Avenue Magazine’s summer issue.

For more on the event, and for more pictures, click here: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Michigan-Ave-Mag-Celebrates-Five-Years-of-Production-218942921.html

Eli’s Cheesecake celebrated their first National Cheesecake Week July 25-30. The 6 day long celebration kicked off on a Thursday with Eli’s Social Media Breakfast! Bloggers came from all over to learn about the company and to decorate an Eli’s Cheesecake!  There was also the weekly Eli’s and Wright College Farmer’s Market.

On Friday, Eli’s was joined by Gene Hartman for Eli’s Music on the Patio and an Eli’s Cheesecake and Dessert Buffet.

For a quick video, click here: http://instagram.com/p/cPmPuJqp9C/

The celebration continued over the weekend with a Grilled Lunch on the patio on Saturday, and a Classic Car Show on Sunday with over one hundred cars. The Happiness Club performed Sunday at the Classic Car show, as well. Eli’s Mascot, Eli Slice, even joined them for a few numbers.

Monday customers in the store got to play Cheesecake games, including Cheesecake Bingo.

National Cheesecake Day concluded the weeklong celebration on Tuesday, July 30th. Vince Garasole from CBS2 joined Eli’s in the morning to talk to help celebrate. Customers enjoyed a free slice of cheesecake all day long serving a new flavor every hour. Eli;s Cheesecake Mobile was also around Chicago giving out free slices to the public. Free slices were also being given out at O’Hare terminal 1.

National Cheesecake Week was a busy and successful celebration.