The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: “Local Flavor from Coast To Coast” traveling food festival is making a stop in Chicago on October 23 and 24! Participants 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-of-a-kind, four-course dinner crafted in collaboration with Taste America All-Star and a Local Star chef, Mark Ladner.
A Night of Culinary Stars: The evening will begin with a reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs, including James Beard Award nominees Tanya Baker (The Boarding House) and Paul Virant (Vie), James Beard Award semifinalists Ryan McCaskey (Acadia) and Paul Fehribach (Big Jones) as well as Host Chef Devon Quinn (Paramount Events). Afterwards, guests will be seated for an extraordinary dinner prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef and Taste America All-Star Mark Ladner (Del Posto; NYC), along with two Taste America Local Stars, James Beard Award nominees Beverly Kim and John Clark (Parachute), who will collaborate to create a unique and unforgettable one-night-only menu. Friday, October 23, at the Geraghty. Cocktail attire is required.
Sur La Table: Activities of the day will include a cooking demo by All-Star Mark Ladner, book signings, tastings from local producers and artisans, as well as product demos and tastings from our national sponsors. Saturday, October 24. Free in-store consumer events at Sur La Table, located at 900 North Michigan Shops.
The James Beard Foundation’s mission 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 2012 JBF launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and created the American Chef Corps, which champions American chefs abroad and fosters foreign interest in American cuisine. For Expo Milano 2015, a global gathering that addresses feeding the world’s growing population, JBF co-led the effort for the State Department to produce the USA Pavilion, which showcases America’s contributions to global food security and gastronomy.
A portion of the funds raised at James Beard Foundation’s Taste America will be offered as a series of scholarships in 2015. The James Beard Foundation will award a regional scholarship of $2,500 to a student residing or attending school in each Taste America host state. Candidates will be reviewed by the JBF Scholarship Selection Committee, which is chaired by JBF president Susan Ungaro. The committee has chosen the most qualified, well-rounded students based on professional goals, school history, work experience, community service, special circumstances, and recommendations. They are honored to continue the educational work that James Beard began.
