The James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced Louisville as one of 10 cities two which it’s bringing its Taste America national culinary tour. According to a news release, the tour will run from Sept. 28 through Nov. 17, and include a dinner on Oct. 19 outside Louisville at Ashbourne Farms.
This year’s traveling series brings a unique partnership of culinary greats, dining experiences and educational opportunities to cities including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle. In addition to spotlighting the nation’s great food, Taste America will focus on amplifying JBF food waste and sustainability initiatives and will directly contribute to the Foundation’s Scholarship programs.
JBF chief operating officer Kris Moon made the announcement, along with comments from Mayor Greg Fisher and Decca chef and co-owner, Annie Pettry.
The dinner will be held at the 2,250-acre farm (at 3810 Old Westport Rd. in La Grange) and feature a collaborative work of local chefs including Anoosh Shariat (Anoosh Bistro), Paco Garcia (Con Huevos), Ouita Michel (Woodford Reserve Distillery), Ming Pu (502 Bar and Bistro), and Mike Wajda (Proof on Main), and host chefs Jason Jones and Patrick Roney of Ashbourne Farms.
Top right in the photo is Annie Pettry, chef and co-owner of Decca, who will serve as the Taste America Local All-Star for the October James Beard Foundation dinner. Photo by Steve Coomes
The evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a seated dinner orchestrated by Pettry—the JBF Taste America Local All-Star—and a to-be-announced Taste America Visiting All-Star chef. The two will curate that evening’s menu.
Capping off the night will be a dessert reception featuring Damaris Phillips (Food Network’s The Bobby and Damaris Show), Kathy Cary (Lilly’s Bistro), Emily Luchetti (Big Night Restaurant Group, San Francisco), James Adams (Brown Hotel) and Nokee Bucayu (Ashbourne Farms).
JBF will donate a portion of the evenings’ proceeds to the Taste America Scholarship Fund, which helps culinary students in this year’s 10 participating cities and states.
“Taste America exemplifies the Foundation’s mission of shining a spotlight on the rich diversity of America’s food culture and the communities that comprise it,” said Clare Reichenbach, chief executive officer of the James Beard Foundation. “Taste America highlights local foods, beverages, and artisans, offering food lovers the opportunity to have unique dining experiences, engage directly with amazing chefs, and to support the Foundation’s mission to drive towards a better food system for all.”
Also during the conference, Woodford Reserve announced a new multipart partnership with JBF that will see the whiskey brand served as the premier sponsor for Taste America, sponsor an annual Woodford Reserve Beverage Studies Scholarship for aspiring beverage professionals, and present an Outstanding Bar Program award annually at the James Beard Awards each spring. All Taste America events this year will feature Woodford Reserve cocktails.
Tickets are now on sale for JBF’s Taste America 2018.
For more information about Taste America events in Louisville, please contact Estes Public Relations at sarah@estespr.com or 502-614-5996. Visit jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica for more details.
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