21-Sep-11 – About 300 people, hungry for a peek at a new menu created by Food Network star Aaron Sanchez, mingled and sampled at Marina City’s House of Blues on Tuesday.

While the interior of the venue’s restaurant will not change, it did get a new name. “Crossroads at House of Blues” is being unveiled at all 13 HOBs across America, or what celebrity chef Sanchez calls a “melting pot of food.”

Sanchez has appeared on Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, Heat Seekers, and Chopped, where he is a recurring guest judge.

Crossroads premiered in San Diego and Las Vegas on August 31, and California’s Disneyland on September 2.

More photos (click on images to view larger versions)…

(Above) Celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez and Ryan Shea, general manager of House of Blues Chicago, pose Tuesday evening at the opening of Crossroads. The new menu was created by Sanchez, a Food Network star and recurring judge on Chopped.

(Left to right) Ron Bension, CEO, House of Blues Entertainment, Sanchez, Shea, and Dan Uslan, publisher of Michigan Avenue Magazine.

(Left to right) Uslan, Sonja Leskinen, marketing manager at Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group, Sanchez, and Grant DePorter, president and managing partner of Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group.

Some of the guests and entertainment at Tuesday night’s launch party for “Crossroads at House of Blues.”

Two guests sample small dishes. Photo by Diane Alexander White.

Dessert treat close-up. Photo by Diane Alexander White.

At right, U.S. Air Force veteran and MTCA director Harold Bellamy. Photo by Diane Alexander White.

Snacks are served in the HOB concert hall prior to a performance by Los Lonely Boys. Photo by Diane Alexander White.

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