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Tag: James Beard Foundation

  • Florida icon Norman Van Aken to fete Orlando chefs at Friends of James Beard Benefit reception – Orlando Weekly

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    It’ll be an impressive gathering of Orlando’s top culinary talents when Florida icon Norman Van Aken hosts chefs and restaurateurs next month at a special Friends of James Beard Benefit reception. Van Aken will celebrate those who’ve been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, while calling attention to the organization’s Good Food for Good® mission.

    Dubbed “A Toast to Orlando,” the event on Oct. 10 at Norman’s will help support various JBF programs fostering equitable and sustainable food systems through education, advocacy and thought leadership.

    “In 1988, I dedicated my first cookbook to Mr. Beard and his vision for the inclusiveness of all cultures spoke deeply to me,” says Van Aken, himself a recipient of a James Beard Award. “I am grateful to host this lasting appreciation of his work with the multigenerational chef and beverage artisans who devote their energies for this gathering year round.”

    Legendary chef Norman Van Aken Credit: Faiyaz Kara

    The diverse assemblage will see James Beard Award nominees Jason & Sue Chin (Good Salt Restaurant Group), James & Julie Petrakis (Ravenous Pig, Polite Pig, Cask & Larder), Brandon McGlamery (Luke’s Kitchen, Prato), Rabii Saber (Four Seasons Orlando), Kevin Fonzo (La Tavola) and Lordfer Lalicon (Kaya) in addition to other such notables as Camilo Velasco (Tiffins), Andres Mendoza (Citricos), Derek Perez (4Roots Farm), Monique Perez (Walt Disney World) and Carlos Robles-Molina (Norman’s) working hors d’oeuvre, raw bar, savory and sweets stations around the restaurant.

    Some highlights, apart from the Cinco Jotas ham carving station and Siberian/Osetra caviar stand, include a braised oxtail agnolotti (Fonzo), grilled cobia al pibil (Mendoza), suya-spiced stuffed chicken wings (Velasco) and jerk Peking duck (Wendy Lopez, Nikk Burton and Huy Tin, Good Salt Restaurant Group). The full menu (check out the desserts!) can be viewed here.

    Wine, cocktail and mocktail pairings will be curated by Norman’s sommelier Matthew Mercier, alongside Lee Pancake (Slate Wine Academy), Shaun Wright (Mõet & Hennessey), Connor Doran (Slate Wine Academy) and Eric Renaud (ACE Wine & Spirits).

    In addition, there will be multiple culinary and cocktail presentations throughout the evening along with live music and a silent auction directly benefiting the work of the James Beard Foundation.

    Tickets are $300 ($500 for couples) and can be purchased on OpenTable.

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    Faiyaz Kara
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  • James Beard Taste America Returns to Houston

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    Few names in the culinary world garner as much respect and awe as that of James Beard, the late chef, cookbook author and television personality. Equally as prestigious is the foundation that bears his name and the James Beard Awards which are bestowed upon the nation’s best chefs, restaurateurs and other hospitality professionals each year.

    The James Beard Foundation does much more, however, than just recognize culinary innovators. The non-profit also advocates for those involved in American food culture with policy initiatives and educational community programming.

    click to enlarge

    The Taste America series returns this fall.

    Photo by Caleb Condit and Rebecca Norden

    One of its public experiences is the Taste America series which tours across different cities, offering the public an opportunity to come face to face with some of our country’s brightest culinary stars. This year, its stop in the Bayou City will be at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, so along with delicious bites, there will also be a whole lotta glamor.

    Co-hosted by Houston First, the gourmet event will take place October 8, beginning at 7 p.m., with Premier access at 6 p.m. The recently-released list of Houston chefs and their menus also announced that Taste Twenty chef Ope Amosu of ChopnBlok will be the headliner. Houstonians know the chef for his contemporary take on West African cuisine. He was nominated this year for a James Beard Award Best Chef: Texas and this week, ChopnBlok made the list of America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 in The New York Times.

    Chef Ope Amosu is the Taste Twenty headliner.

    Photo by StuffBenEats

    In a press release, Amosu said he is humbled to serve as the host and to cook alongside such top-tiered chefs. He added, “Southwest Houston raised me since I was 3 years old and I am ready to play my part and show out for ‘us!’ I’m proud to showcase the dynamic flavors, my West African heritage and the community influences that fuel ChopnBlok while shining a spotlight on the city that shaped me.”

    For his menu showcase, Amosu will be serving African palm butter chicken and prawns with Liberian greens and plantain-potato mash. Joining him in the culinary adventure will be local chefs such as Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemo), who was a finalist for a James Beard Award in 2024 and also earned his first Michelin star the same year. His Taste America treat will be a tuna tiradito with leche de tigre and masa cracker.

    click to enlarge

    Chefs Henry Lu and Evelyn Garcia return for Taste America.

    Photo by Lorretta Ruggiero

    The superstar chef list also includes Top Chef Season 22 champion, Tristen Epps-Long (Buboy), scooping out baobab ice cream with peach-fig jam. JBA alums, Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu (Jun) return, offering pork meatballs with peanut curry. Attendees will also sample bites like Itek Tuchina Three Sisters, a dish of salmon squash, corn and beans from Choctaw chef David Skinner (Ishtia) and pad thai oatmeal fluffernutter from Vanarin Kuch (Koffeteria). Other talented chefs in the line-up include Victoria Elizondo (Cochinita & Co.), Suu Khin (Burmalicious), Flo Palanco (Flor y Miel), Felipe Riccio (March) and Michelle Wallace (B’tween Sandwich Co.).

    click to enlarge

    Some of the nation’s best will be on hand for delicious bites.

    Photo by Max Flatow

    There will also be beverage stations from JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Klipsun Vineyard, Mijenta Tequila, Tito’s Vodka and William Grant & Sons.

    Taste America: Houston
    October 8, 6 p.m. (Premier), 7 p.m. (General)
    The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
    1600 W. Loop S.
    jamesbeard.org

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    Lorretta Ruggiero

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  • Colossal Announces a Sizzling $4.7 Million Raised From Favorite Chef Competition Benefiting James Beard Foundation

    Colossal Announces a Sizzling $4.7 Million Raised From Favorite Chef Competition Benefiting James Beard Foundation

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    PHOENIX, September 1, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Colossal Management, LLC is excited to announce that over $4.7 million has been raised from the 2023 Favorite Chef Competition. The online fundraising campaign had over 90,000 skilled home cooks and chefs worldwide vying for the prestigious title of Favorite Chef.

    More than just a culinary competition, Favorite Chef represents Colossal’s commitment to philanthropy. The competition operated as a fundraising campaign on behalf of DTCare, a nationally registered 501(c)(3) charity/charitable grantmaker. The funds raised during the Favorite Chef Competition went directly to DTCare, which will subsequently issue a grant to the James Beard Foundation (JBF) totaling nearly $5 million. 

    Colossal x James Beard Foundation

    The James Beard Foundation, renowned for its mission to foster a more inclusive and sustainable future for the restaurant industry, stands as the beneficiary of this remarkable initiative by Colossal. Through its annual awards, industry-centric programs, community-oriented endeavors, advocacy, partnerships, and national events, JBF is at the forefront of reshaping the culinary landscape.

    People’s Choice: Karen Jenkins

    This year’s Favorite Chef Competition saw two winners, one being the People’s Choice who was voted in by the public. Emerging from humble origins, Chef Karen Jenkins’ culinary journey began in her early years. Cooking became a source of solace for her family, forging connections during tough times. Throughout the competition, this talented chef found inspiration in the unwavering support of her husband and an unexpected outpouring of encouragement from all corners of the world, including overseas military personnel and ICU nurses.

    Beyond a $25,000 cash prize, a featured profile in Taste of Home magazine, and an upcoming trip to NYC to cook with Carla Hall, Jenkins’ triumph holds a deeper resonance. Reflecting on her victory, she shared, “It’s about the impact we’ve been able to have on others, including up-and-coming cooks.”

    Carla’s Pick: Gwyneth Christoffel

    During the quarter-finals of the competition, competing chefs were able to show off their best-plated presentation for the opportunity to be recognized by world-renowned culinary connoisseur, Carla Hall. Gwyneth Christoffel was chosen out of hundreds of submissions as her mesmerizing plated presentation was filled with light textures and bright colors, leaving Chef Hall in awe. She will be whisked away for a NYC foodie experience of a lifetime. Christoffel envisions crafting an illustrated cookbook that harmonizes her vibrant artistry with approachable recipes. Hall’s recognition is now propelling Christoffel’s dreams toward reality.

    Carla Hall + Workshops

    The spirited Chef Hall, a Food Network fan favorite, offered insight and wisdom to competitors as the competition host. To further add value to competitors, Colossal introduced exclusive workshops featuring industry pros, including:

    • The Art of Plating and Presentation with Carla Hall
    • Leadership In and Out of the Kitchen with Kris Moon, President and COO of the James Beard Foundation
    • The Secret Sauce to Catering Events with Chef Terry Matthews (aka BBQ Daddy)
    • Cooking Up Engaging Social Content with Social Media Influencer Melissa Anaya (@eatdrinkaz)

    To learn more about the Favorite Chef Competition, visit favchef.com. 

    About Colossal

    Colossal is the global leader in online competitions and one of the most effective fundraising platforms available for charities that lack the bandwidth to operate large-scale campaigns. While offering extraordinary opportunities to men and women around the world, each online fundraising competition operated by Colossal has become a successful method of fundraising for nonprofits, designed to raise money for important causes. To learn more, visit colossal.org.

    Source: Colossal

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