Usually, it’s not a good idea to approach chefs when they’re gesticulating wildly in the kitchen, with beads of sweat cascading down their foreheads as they howl unprintable things at sous chefs or other cooks. Because the life of a head chef is typically frenetic, it’s hard to find a time to sit down and chill with them.

At the IN - Cocktail Kickoff at 9 p.m. in Seabar City, 475 Ellicott St., July 23, the general public, particularly those interested in digging deeper in the local restaurant scene, is invited to hang out with culinary luminaries—for free! The series, hosted by Feed Your Soul and Nickel City Chef founder Christa Glennie Seychew, will run on the first and third Mondays of every month, so if the opening day is a little packed, there will be other opportunities.

Some of the opener’s projected highlights include the chance to sample mixed drinks from Vera Pizzeria, Mike A’s, Cantina Loco and Park Country Club—four of Western New York’s most sought-after cocktail destinations. Sea Bar’s Mike Andrzejewski and Smoke on the Water’s JJ Richert and Kevin Richert will prepare light snacks as well.

Toronto author Christine Sismondo, who’s penned “America Walks into a Bar: A Spirited History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops” and “Mondo Cocktail”, is Monday’s special guest. Local bar equipment retailer and extreme beer lovers Kegworks will be on hand for giveaways, too, heightening the potential for a slightly sloppy evening.

(Featured photo by Flickr / Dan4th).