The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: “Local Flavor from Coast to Coast” traveling food festival is making a stop in Chicago on October 17 and18. Our city will enjoy a special evening that starts off with a walk-around tasting reception from a line-up of local chefs, followed by a one-night-only, collaborative four-course dinner crafted by a Taste America All-Star and a local celebrity chef.
The evening begins with a tasting reception featuring an exciting lineup of Chicago’s finest chefs. Then, enjoy a unique four-course seated dinner designed by James Beard Award winners Grant Achatz and Sean Brock, with Host Chef Thomas Lents. We are bringing these culinary stars together for one night only to create an unforgettable dining experience.
The first night of the festival is “A Night of Culinary Stars Dinner” on October 18, and will be held at the Trump International Hotel and Tower. The evening will begin with a reception filled with bites and libations from local chefs, including Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig), Dave Beran (NEXT), Carrie Nahabedian (NAHA, Brindille), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate), and Takashi Yagihashi (Takashi, Slurping Turtle). Afterwards, guests will be seated for an exceptional dinner prepared by Taste America All-Star Grant Achatz (Alinea) and special guest chef Sean Brock (McCrady’s, Husk), along with Host Chef Thomas Lents (Sixteen), who will create a one-of-a-kind menu diners won’t forget.
On Saturday, October 18, a series of free, in-store consumer events will take place at Sur La Table located at 900 North Michigan Shops. Activities of the day will include cooking demos, book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, and more.
The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Scholarship Fund. Local culinary students are invited to apply for this culinary scholarship through jamesbeard.org. The mission of the James Beard Foundation’s is to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation has a myriad of programs that reach a national and even international audience. JBF has established a strong brand equity centered on excellence, partnerships extending beyond the culinary realm, and dynamic programs and events that engage not only the best of the food industry, but millions of experts and enthusiasts from all over the world. The James Beard Foundation’s programs include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary schools, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs.
In September of 2012, the Foundation launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. Find out more about the James Beard Foundation at jamesbeard.org.
For more information about this event, or to purchase tickets, click here.
