Food is an integral part of culture and society. Not only is it necessary for survival, it’s also part of our heritage. Everyone has a secret family recipe, a traditional dish that comes out for special occasions, and a story behind it. Food is the keystone of the communities we live in and it brings a myriad of people around the same table.
James Beard, a renowned cook book author, chef, and known as the “Dean of American cookery,” understood this fact and dedicated his life to food and its surrounding culture. That is the mission of the James Beard Foundation: celebrating heritage and tradition and helping to nurture education and inspiration for the new traditions now in the making.
CELEBRITY CHEF TOURS
In carrying out this culinary mission, the Foundation hosts a Celebrity Chef dinner across 20 cities in the United States, granting up and coming chefs a chance to shine and foodies the chance to try something they might not usually be able to taste in their hometown. The dinners include a cocktail hour, local and celebrity chefs, and wine pairings. James Beard Foundation knows better than anyone that food is not just about the taste, it’s about the experience.
Recently on May 12, 2016 the tour made a stop in Columbus, OH. Host Chef Bill Glover, local celebrity chefs, and breweries and distilleries from the Great Lakes region all collaborated to present a wonderful seven-course meal. The owner and mixologist of Curio, Travis Owens, took spirits and brews from Ohio barrels and created masterpieces. Veritas, Service Bar, Rockmill Brewery, and Wolf’s Ridge Brewery chefs were all contributors to a fine hors d’oeuvre experience. Master Sommelier James Tidwell expertly paired the wines.
The evening was a great success. To see where the tour will be inspiring next, please visit this link. For more information on the James Beard Foundation, please visit here.
Photo Credit: Ed Gately Photography