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Travel, hugs, and dinner parties: those are things we’ve been missing the most ever since the start of the pandemic. And while they can’t help with the first two, the James Beard Foundation is inviting diners in 20 cities around the country to their Taste America virtual dinner party this Sunday, October 18th at 5 P.M. Pacific (8 P.M. Eastern).
From Charleston to Chicago, Minneapolis to Miami, and 18 other cities coast-to-coast, local chefs and diners will come together for a virtual communal dinner in celebration and support of local, independent restaurants. The nationwide event will support the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign, which is not only helping restaurants survive the current pandemic, but also to help the industry rebuild in a way that’s more equitable and sustainable for the long term.
So what does a virtual dinner party look like? Local chefs in 20 cities throughout the country —including Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu’s in San Francisco and Bonnie Morales of Kachka in Portland, OR — will cook up a three-course dinner, paired with wine from Dough. (The wine label also supports the JBF’s work to support and improve the restaurant community.) Diners will pick up their meals the day of the event. Then, that evening, they’ll tuck into their dinners at home and tune into a national broadcast featuring chefs Antonia Lofaso, Carla Hall, and Gail Simmons, along with actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and DJ Hesta Prynn, who will curate music throughout the event.
To see the list of 20 cities partnering with the JBF for this singular event benefitting the culinary industry, see below or visit the James Beard Foundation’s web site.
Courtesy of the James Beard Foundation
Atlanta: Deborah VanTrece of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
Boston: Irene Li of Mei Mei
Charleston: A. John-Carter of The Macintosh
Chicago: Carlos Gaytán of Tzuco
Dallas: Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman of José
Denver: Alex Seidel of Mercantile dining & provision
Houston: Chris Williams of Lucille’s
Kansas City, MO: Sheila Lucero and Michael Corvino of Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar and Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
Los Angeles: Bricia Lopez and Edgar Santiago of Guelaguetza
Louisville: Bruce Ucàn of Mayan Café
Miami: Niven Patel of Mamey Miami
Minneapolis: Jamie Malone of Grand Café
Nashville: Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red
New Orleans: Kelly Fields of Willa Jean
Philadelphia: Jennifer Carroll and Billy Riddle of Spice Finch
Phoenix: Danielle Leoni of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Portland, OR: Bonnie Morales of Kachka
San Francisco: Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu’s
Seattle: Jason Wilson of The Lakehouse
Washington, D.C.: Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto
For tickets to the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America events taking place across the country on October 18 at 5 P.M. Pacific Time (8 P.M. Eastern) — or to learn more about the Foundation’ is supporting the restaurant industry through its Open for Good campaign — visit the James Beard Foundation’s web site. But act fast! Ticket sales end tonight and on Friday, depending on the city.
