NATO gets taste of Chicago food, blues in Belgium

March 13, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- From pizza to root beer and popcorn, a mini taste of Chicago is being sent to NATO members in Brussels, Belgium.

The group is meeting next Thursday to plan some of the summit NATO, and Chicago is feeding them -- Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza, Garrett's Popcorn, Manny's Corn Beef, Talbott Teas, Bergoff Root Beer and Fisher Nuts.

Chicago chef Stephanie Izard of Girl and the Goat restaurant will be cook for the group at the U.S. ambassador's home in Brussels.

"We've been anticipating it for a while so I've, luckily, had a bunch of events this week that kind of kept my mind off it and now that it's coming, oh wow, let's get ready," Izard said. Izard will represent Chicago and the city's ever growing culinary scene.

"We're just so excited to put Chicago on the map for culinary and I think it's just getting bigger and bigger. it's just exciting to be a part of it," Izard said. Izard said her original menu included more worldly cuisine, but she was encouraged to make it a more typical Chicago menu. She will take her signature goat dishes to Brussels.

Chicago's sending Blues legend Lonnie Brooks to perform after the dinner.

"Tell you the truth, I was trying to retire," Brooks said. "I feel good about it. I've been around so long and done so much here in Chicago."

The last time Brooks played Brussels it was at a music festival. Brooks says this will be a different crowd, but he expects to bring everyone together through music and leave them wanting a little bit more of Chicago.

Brooks is working on the set list, but Sweet Home Chicago will definitely be on it.

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