Well, this just about makes it official.

Bon Appetit magazine has signed on as sponsor of Chicago Gourmet, the food festival in Millenium Park, the Illinois Restaurant Association announced today.

The event, dreamed up two years ago by the association, stumbled in its first year but appears to have found its legs and then some. It'll now be called the "Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet" fest. Might this be the start of a beautiful relationship that will evolve into something rivaling the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen? We can only hope.

"We are just delighted to be part of Chicago Gourmet," Bon Appetit editor Barbara Fairchild said via press release. "It's a city of great restaurants with much diversity, talented and innovative chefs, and an enthusiastic foodie public that enjoys it all. I always love exploring the scene. And we're looking forward to talking with everyone!"

Tickets to Chicago Gourmet Sept. 25 and 26 are on sale here.