Tickets On Sale For James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® National Ten-City Tour This Fall

~ Tom Colicchio Announced as Taste America Honorary All-Star to Launch Culinary Campaign to Celebrate America’s Diverse Food Heritage ~

Tickets to the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® national epicurean tour, which will visit ten American cities this fall, have just been made available. Spanning six weekends between September 23 and November 5, 2015, this year’s program will stop in Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, Portland, OR, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. James Beard Award winner and Taste America Honorary All-StarTom Colicchio will launch the 2016 program at an invite-only reception at the historic James Beard House in New York City on August 3.

“We are delighted to have Tom as our Taste America Honorary All-Star at the kick-off of this national program, now in its fourth consecutive year,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “In addition to his global recognition as the head judge on Top Chef, Tom’s game-changing passion for social activism and bringing attention to the sustainable food movement is undeniable.”

Taste America programming in each participating city will kick off with A Night of Culinary Stars, an exclusive dining event benefiting the James Beard Foundation. The evening will begin with a walk-around tasting reception filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre from local chefs and restaurateurs, followed by an extraordinary four-course dinner crafted in collaboration by a Taste America All-Star and a Local Star chef, who will be paired together to create an unforgettable one-night-only menu.

The full 2016 Taste America program calendar is as follows:

• Sept. 23-24        Los Angeles: All-Star Scott Conant*/Phoenix: All-Star Amanda Freitag*
• Sept. 30-Oct. 1  Kansas City: All-Star Gavin Kaysen*/New Orleans: All-Star Alex Guarnaschelli*
• Oct. 14-15         Chicago: All-Star Missy Robbins***
• Oct. 21-22         Portland, OR: All-Star Stephanie Izard*
• Oct. 28-29         Twin Cities: All-Star Jose Garces*/Boston: All-Star John Besh*
• Nov. 4-5           Charleston: All-Star Dan Barber*/San Francisco: All-Star Anita Lo**

*Notes James Beard Award Winner

     **Notes James Beard Award Nominee

    ***Notes James Beard Award Semifinalist

For more information on all the Local chefs Local chefs participating in A Night of Culinary Stars please visitjbftasteamerica.org.

The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of each evening’s proceeds to the Taste America Scholarship Fund. Local culinary students in the ten participating states are invited to apply for this culinary scholarship between April 1 and May 15, 2017, via jamesbeard.org. Candidates will be reviewed by the JBF Scholarship Selection Committee, chaired by Ungaro.

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America 2016 is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and partners, including premier national sponsor New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation; supporting sponsors Breville®, Sodexo, and TABASCO®; retail partner Sur La Table; national media partner Saveur; and digital media partner The Daily Meal®. Additional support has been provided by Chefwear, Hansgrohe and VerTerra Dinnerware.

About the James Beard Foundation (JBF)

Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, the late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Get food news, recipes, and more at the James Beard Foundation’s blog, or subscribe to the free digital newsletter Beard Bites. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Livestream.

Good France (Goût de France) U.S. Restaurants Announced For March 19th Event Celebrating France's Gastronomy

© Heikki-Verdurme

Previous Pause Next

On Thursday, March 19, 2015, in 150 countries around the world, 1300 restaurants and the French embassies will celebrate France’s gastronomy by inviting the public to share a “French dinner.” In each participating restaurant, the event will showcase a vibrant, open and innovative cuisine that is true to its values of sharing, pleasure, and respect for good food, and for the planet. (A complete list of the U.S. restaurants and eateries participating in Good France can be found below.)

The Goût de / Good France initiative is organized by Alain Ducasse and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

During the project’s presentation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Laurent Fabius said: “France’s heritage is its cuisine, its wines, (...). The Gastronomic meal of the French has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010, but it is a heritage that should not simply be contemplated, gloried and savored; it is a heritage that should be built upon and showcased.”

In the words of Alain Ducasse: “French cuisine is the interpreter of a cuisine that has evolved towards lightness in harmony with its environment... The common point of this event is generosity, sharing and the love of what is beautiful and tastes good. It will be a delightful interlude and an opportunity to celebrate French cuisine worldwide.”

Inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who launched the “Dîners d’Épicure” (Epicurean Dinners) in 1912 –featuring the same menu, the same day, in several world cities and aimed at as many diners as possible, Goût de France/Good France borrows that beautiful idea to involve restaurants around the world.

Each chef and restaurant will offer a “French-style” menu which includes a traditional French apéritif, a cold starter, a hot starter, fish or shellfish, meat or poultry, a French cheese (or cheeseboard), a chocolate dessert, French wines and after-dinner liqueurs, while remaining free to highlight their own culinary traditions and cultures.

From bistros to 5-star restaurants, the cuisine will be accessible to all and based on fresh, seasonal and local products, with lower levels of fat, sugar, salt and protein.

The menu’s price will be at the restaurant’s discretion and they are all encouraged to donate 5% of proceeds to a local NGO promoting health and the environment.

A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY France has invited the world to a savory journey, bringing together more than 1500 chefs from around the world who will use the French culinary knowhow to express their talent and expertise through 1500 menus. All participating restaurants are now present on www.goodfrance.com website. Visitors to the site can find the participating restaurants in their city & country and book directly at the restaurant of their choice. Many chefs have already posted their menu on Good France, so that diners can fantasize about the dinner they will savor on March 19.

AN INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CHEFS Eateries around the world – from haute cuisine restaurants to bistros – were invited to apply on the www.goodfrance.com website, proposing a menu that showcases France’s culinary traditions. An international selection committee of chefs, chaired by Alain Ducasse, has approved the list of participating chefs, including Paul Bocuse (France), Raymond Blanc (United Kingdom), Thomas Keller (United States), Kiyomi Mikuni

(Japan), Paul Pairet (China), Joël Robuchon (France), Nadia Santini (Italy), Guy Savoy (France)…

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY AND SHARE THE TASTE OF FRANCE This gastronomic journey is a perfect illustration of two important aspects of French culture: promoting local specialties and openness to the outside world. It will be an opportunity to share values with as many people as possible that are dear to, and ardently defended by the French people: conviviality and respect for our planet and its resources. And most importantly, to share a moment of pleasure. Now, more than ever, gastronomy is a beacon of French culture. It is a genuine pull factor for 60% of tourists visiting the country. In addition to the participating restaurants, the French embassies will also be taking part in the event, organizing dinners at the Ambassadors’ residences. “This will be a perfect demonstration the Gastronomic Meal of the French listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage,” said Laurent Fabius. “It is also a way to make France more attractive as a destination”, added Alain Ducasse.

The Goût de France/Good France initiative is being organized by Alain Ducasse and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Below is a complete list of the participating restaurants and eateries in the U.S., by state, that are participating in Good France:

California

2 French Chicks- Agora Hills

Bouchon- Yountville

Cafe de la Presse- San Francisco

Church & State- Los Angeles

On Sunset @ Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel- Los Angeles

Restaurant Tapenade- La Jolla

State Fare Bar & Kitchen- Rancho Mirage

Zola- Palo Alto

Colorado

Jaja Bistro- Littleton

Le Central- Denver

Florida

Cafe Largo- Largo

Chez Boet- Naples

Face- Hollywood

Le Lafayette- Naples

Maison Blanche- Longboat Key

Illinois

Bistronomic- Chicago

Cafe des Architectes- Chicago

Chez Moi- Chicago

Cyrano's Farm Kitchen- Chicago

Les Nomades- Chicago

Troquet River North- Chicago

Massachusetts

La Voile- Boston

Nebraska

Le Voltaire Restaurant- Omaha

Nevada

MiX in Las Vegas- Las Vegas

New Mexico

L'olivier- Santa Fe

New York

Atrium Dumbo- Brooklyn

Benoit New York- New York City

Bouley- New York City

CORE: Club- New York City

Gaby Brasserie Francaise- New York City

Ladurée - New York City

L'ecole (Restaraunt de International Culinary Center)- New York City

Madison Bistro- New York City

OCabanon- New York City

Provence en Boite- Brooklyn

Racines NY- New York City

Tessa- New York City

Texas

Artisans Restaurant- Houston, Texas

Bistro Vatel- San Antonio

Cadot Restaurant- Dallas

Kris Bistro- Houston

Saint-Emilion- Fort Worth

Vermont

Chef's Table at New England Culinary Institute- Montpelier

Washington

Hommage- Seattle

Washington, DC

Ici Urban Bistro

Wisconsin

Bartolotta's Lake Park- Milwaukee

Find more information on each participating restaurant and links to their websites here: www.goodfrance.com

Wine Festivals Of Germany: Always A Reason To Celebrate Wine

In vino veritas... there may be truth in wine, but it is also one of life's great pleasures! Discover Germany's wonderful wine festivals the length and breadth of the country and join the party in a picture-perfect wine village, the winding narrow streets of a quaint town, a cosy inn or a rustic wine cellar.

Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on google_plusone_shareMore Sharing Services

Ahr Wine Market in Ahrweiler

Wine and sekt from the Ahr region are the centrepieces in Ahrweiler market square, where more than 200 wines grown in vineyards from Altenahr to Heppingen are ready to be poured. This wine festival has been a firm fixture in the Ahr region for years. Its special atmosphere, excellent music and entertainment, and outstanding setting attract the crowds. It culminates in the coronation of the new Ahr wine queen.

www.ahrwein.de

Bergstrasse Vintners' Festival, Bensheim

More than eighty years old but still in its prime. The first Bergstrasse Vintners' Festival may have been held in Bensheim back in 1929, but it remains a firm favourite for all ages and among wine enthusiasts from the local area and beyond. South Hessen's biggest wine festival has a young, fresh and modern image – but it still retains its traditional charm.

www.verkehrsverein-bensheim.de

Boppard Wine Festival – a Middle Rhine tradition

Boppard is on the romantic Rhine in the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley . Bopparder Hamm is the biggest vineyard site in the Middle Rhine wine region . The wine festival takes place in the historical setting of Boppard's medieval market square. Every autumn, winemakers and restaurateurs invite wine connoisseurs and gourmets to taste their riesling and other specialities.

www.boppard-tourismus.de

Culinary wine walk in Kernen

The white marquees that are the hallmarks of the culinary wine walk in the Stetten vineyards can be seen from miles around on Whit weekend. Ten winegrowers and five chefs at five points along the existing Stetten wine walking trail serve fine wines from their own vineyards along with gourmet delights.

www.kernen.de

Deidesheimer Weinkerwe – a special wine festival

For decades, the Weinkerwe festival, with its wide range of wines, has been one of the most popular festivals on the German Wine Route. A genuine wine lovers' festival at which excellent wines from the top vineyards and cellars are assured. Enjoy a glass in the sociable atmosphere of the 'Weingasse', or sip superior vintages together with fine food in the 'Weinkabinett' or at the traditional wine estates.

www.deidesheim.de

Freiburg Wine Festival around the minster

Strolling around the streets of Freiburg in a superbly atmospheric setting, visitors get to know the region and its people, enjoy the local specialities and feel inspired by the Badensian zest for life and wine. Stalls packed around Freiburg's famous landmark are full of traditional and regional specialities from wine cellar and kitchen.

www.freiburger-weinfest.de

Heilbronner Weindorf – a traditional wine festival

The wine-making town of Heilbronn holds its traditional German wine festival around the town hall. Thirteen cooperatives and 17 wine-growing estates showcase around 300 still wines and 16 sparkling sekts. Robust reds, crisp whites and full-bodied rosés are on offer. Selected dishes accompany the top-quality wines while musical entertainment sets the tone.

www.heilbronn-tourist.de

Middle Moselle Wine Festival, Bernkastel-Kues

Experience the biggest wine festival in the Middle Moselle region. Its highlights are the reception for the wine queen, firework displays at Landshut Castle and along the banks of the Moselle, the vintners' parade with a string of floats, marching bands and traditional dance groups from Germany and abroad. Over 30 stalls offer acclaimed riesling wines, including Bernkasteler Doctor, Zeller schwarze Katz, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen and Wehlener Sonnenuhr.

www.bernkastel.de

Nordheim Food and Wine Festival

Nordheim Food and Wine Festival, held beneath a canopy of chestnut trees, is a wine lover's delight. Visitors to the lavishly decorated marquee can sample a broad range of wines produced by Nordheim vintners and the DIVINO wine cooperative . Also featuring typical Franconian specialities and light international dishes, it is one of the highlights of the Franconian wine calendar.

www.nordheim-main.de

Oberwesel Wine Market and Rhine in Flames

This traditional autumn wine fair takes place in the picturesque market square. Dance bands and music groups entertain the visitors while winemakers showcase their exquisite wines at vine-clad stalls. The vintner's parade is the highlight, with colourful floats proceeding through the lavishly decorated town. The original Rhine in Flames firework display can be admired from the riverbank or aboard boats.

www.oberwesel.de

Ortenau Regional Wine Festival, Offenburg

The Ortenau vineyards showcase the full variety of their fine wines on the last weekend in September. The spacious setting of Offenburg market square, a host of music groups – some from neighbouring Alsace – a farmers market, barbecued food and speciality cheeses, tarte flambée and zwiebelkuchen make this a traditional wine festival with a cosmopolitan feel.

www.offenburg.de

Rheingau Wine Festival, Wiesbaden

Visitors to the Rheingau Wine Festival embark on a voyage of discovery. Around 100 winemakers offer acclaimed Rheingau riesling wines as well as sparkling sekt and regional fare. The ten-day wine festival includes a varied programme of entertainment in Schlossplatz and Dern'schen Gelände squares in Wiesbaden .

www.wiesbaden.de

Rüdesheim Wine Festival – the riesling festival

Famous vineyards in the UNESCO World Heritage site along the Rhine guarantee the quality of this traditional wine festival held under the lime tree in the market square. On the third weekend in August, you can taste the best rieslings and pinot noirs from the famous steep vineyards of the Rheingau , just 50 kilometres from Frankfurt . Rüdesheim wine estates such as Johannes Leitz, the Gault Millau 2011 winemaker of the year, are not to be missed.

www.ruedesheim.de

Stuttgart Wine Festival – Swabian joie de vivre

Stuttgart Wine Festival has lost none of its original appeal. It is not only a hit in Stuttgart , it has long been a byword and ambassador for the Swabians' love of life, well beyond the Baden-Württemberg state capital. It shows Stuttgart and the Swabian region at its best – convivial and welcoming and celebrating wine as their cultural heritage.

www.stuttgarter-weindorf.de

Traditional Mainz Wine Market

The traditional Mainz Wine Market is regarded as one of Mainz's best festivals. The municipal park in Mainz provides an unparalleled setting for the wine stalls, with the sekt festival and arts and crafts market in its rose garden. Strolling wine tastings and delicious food are other attractions in Mainz , which has been a member of the Great Wine Capitals network since 2008.

www.mainzer-weinmarkt.de

Weyher Wine Panorama – food, wine and views

Fine wine and good food are on the menu for this vineyard walk with panoramic views. A special miniature 'train' takes visitors up to the start of the wine walk on Michelsberg hill. Vintners and chefs work together in the pavilions spread around the vineyards to ensure that the hearty Palatinate specialities and creative local tapas match up to the range of wines provided by the nine winemakers.

www.weyher.de

Wine and fun at the Baden Wine Festival, Europa-Park

A very special wine festival with a variety of stage shows, showbiz celebrities, cool live music, acrobatic displays by Europa-Park performers and the traditional barrel-tapping ceremony. Many award-winning regional wines are uncorked and poured in the charming setting of the historical Balthasar Palace garden in Europa-Park .

www.europapark.de

Wine festival in Freyburg, in the Saale-Unstrut region

Central Germany's biggest wine festival is held in Freyburg, the capital of the most northerly German region where qualitätswein can be grown. Music and shows attract the crowds all around the town where the streets are packed with stallholders and Saale-Unstrut vintners offer their wares in the 'wine village' and around the festival site.

www.weinregion-saale-unstrut.de

Mexico: Cancun-Riviera Maya Host Wine And Food Festival From March 14 To 17th

Contributed By Rosemary McClure

Poolside lunch at Esencia Estate, Riviera Maya. (Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office)

Foodies can taste their way through Mexico's Riviera Maya from March 14 to 17 when 30 culinary events take place as part of the annual Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine and Food Festival.

The festival, set at several Riviera Maya resorts, will feature taste-offs, chef competitions and tastings of mescal and wine. 

Why hold the event in Riviera Maya, a slice of the Mexican coastline that stretches south from Cancun along the Caribbean? 

“The region is becoming a mecca for culinary enthusiasts,” said Darío Flota, director of the region’s marketing office. Local chefs have developed a fusion of traditional and contemporary, indigenous and international cuisine, he said.

“The festival is a great way for us to showcase Riviera Maya’s diverse dining scene as well as the immense talent and anthology of international tastes that come together in the region,” Flota said.

Among the events:

• Mescal tasting with master sommelier Doug Frost
• A taste of Europe: Tribute to Massimo Bottura
• Cancun-Riviera Maya dine around
•  Cooking demos with celebrity chefs 

Area hotels and resorts are offering specials connected to the event. Among them are Hotel Grand Velas, El Dorado Royaleand Paradissus Playa del Carmen.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit Ciudad de la Alegria, a nonprofit dedicated to disadvantaged children, victims of violence and elder care.