The James Beard Foundation recently announced the locations and participants of its sixth annual Taste America tour. From September 28 to November 17, the New York-based foundation will use food to bring people together for education involving food, as well as creating a world that is sustainable and equitable for all.
This year’s Taste America, which is focused on sustainability and food waste initiatives, includes a partnership with Feeding America and local organizations to donate leftovers from the benefit dinner. In addition, a portion of each night’s proceeds will go directly towards a James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program’s Taste America Scholarship Fund recipient in each of the 10 cities Taste America visits to further their culinary education. JBF is also asking all chefs participating in Taste America to adhere to its SmartCatch guidelines and asking them to serve sustainable seafood at Taste America events.
Sustainability, as well as the diversity, are just a few of the considerations that Alison Tozzi-Liu, vice president of marketing, communications and editorial for the James Beard Foundation says went into choosing which communities to highlight this year. “Each city chosen for the 2018 series – and in years past – is representative of the diverse culinary scene that exists in America. From North to South and coast to coast, each city for 2018 Taste America possesses a distinct flavor and brings something uniquely delicious to the table.”
Each location will have a weekend-long program, each hosted by special guests and local culinary heroes, referred to as “All-Stars”.
“All Visiting and Local All-Stars for Taste America are representative of the Foundation’s mission to create a better and more sustainable food world. Whether they’ve participated in JBF Boot Camps for Policy & Change, are actively working to improve diversity in the kitchen, advocating for better labor practices, or pursuing a more sustainable culinary culture, these chefs show the positive impact that good food can have in our communities.” says Tozzi-Liu.
The 2018 Taste America Visiting All-Stars and Local All-Stars include:
- Phoenix: Visiting All-Star Maneet Chauhan / Local All-Star Charleen Badman
- New Orleans: Visiting All-Star Emily Luchetti
- Los Angeles: Visiting All-Star Andrew Carmellini / Local All-Star Ludo Lefebvre
- Louisville: Local All-Star Annie Pettry
- Seattle: Visiting All-Star Stuart Brioza & Nicole Krasinski / Local All-Star Edouardo Jordan
- Chicago: Visiting All-Star Karen Akunowicz / Local All-Star Sarah Grueneberg
- San Francisco: Visiting All-Star Abe Conlon / Local All-Star Val Cantu
- Boston: Visiting All-Star Renee Erickson / Local All-Star Tony Maws
- Philadelphia: Local All-Star Nick Elmi
- Austin: Visiting All-Stars Sara Kramer & Sarah Hymanson / Local All-Star Michael Fojtasek
James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Traci Des Jardins from San Franciscohosted the kickoff tour date this year on August 1. In addition to her undeniable culinary skills, Traci also serves as a member on JBF’s Women’s Leadership Programs Advisory Board, as well as on the board of her local non-profit La Cocina, which supports low income food entrepreneurs. Joining Traci are the winners of the 2018 JBF Outstanding Baker Award, Belinda Leong and Michel Suas of b. Patisserie.
Menu creation for the majority of the tour dates are still underway. However, the kickoff menu included:
- Lobster rice crackers with lobster salad, tarragon, chervil, and lovage
- Leavened blini with Tsar Nicoulai California caviar and classic garniture
- Foie gras terrine with toasted rice bread and summer fruit
- Impossible Foods tartare
- Miniature kouignoù amann
- Milk tea tart with milk tea ganache, milk tea mascarpone and sponge cake
- Chocolate mousse with coffee mascarpone, almond feuilletine, flourless cake and coffee soil
For anyone with passions including food and sustainability, Taste America 2018 is certainly the event to be at.
“What makes Taste America so special is that it represents a collaboration of chefs from across the country and provides food lovers with one-of-a-kind culinary and educational experiences. The event features a national community of tastemakers who use food to tell meaningful stories, create memorable experiences, and help change the world, while also providing guests with the opportunity to learn that good food goes beyond a delicious meal. It can make a meaningful impact.” says Tozzi-Liu.
