Pensacola 'Celebrity Chefs' Take Local Flavor To NYC For Fourth Consecutive James Beard House Dinner

Five of the Pensacola Bay Area's finest chefs are heading back to New York City's acclaimed James Beard House for the fourth consecutive year to host a dinner showcasing the destination's signature culinary offerings.

The anticipated culinary event – titled, "Southern Inspired: Fresh from Florida's Gulf Coast" – will be hosted by Visit Pensacola on Oct. 1, when Pensacola Celebrity Chefs Dan Dunn of H2O at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, Irv Miller of Jackson's Steakhouse, Jim Shirley of the Fish House, Gus Silivos of Nancy's Haute Affairs and Frank Taylor of Global Grill will prepare a five-course meal that highlights the distinctive flavors of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast by featuring locally-harvested produce and seafood.

"To have been invited to the James Beard House for an unprecedented fourth year is a tremendous honor, as is having the opportunity to represent the rich history and culture of the Pensacola Bay Area and of Florida through culinary exploration," Chef Silivos said.

House-smoked oyster sumac, seared Gulf snapper with pineapple sage pesto, Pensacola Bay white scampi, salt and pepper Apalachicola scallops and Baldwin County-raised grass-fed beef are among the dishes to be served by the reputable chefs.

Dessert, prepared collaboratively by the five chefs, is the unforgettable "Bushwacker Two-Way," featuring the signature beverage Bushwacker—a creamy, delicious rum drink made with cream of coconut, Kahlua® coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, half-and-half and vanilla ice cream—paired with a tres leches cake that is topped off with toffee glass and coconut whip.

The James Beard Foundation was established in 1986 in honor of James Beard, a cookbook author, teacher and father of American gastronomy. Beard's Greenwich Village townhouse showcases the industry's finest chefs at nightly dining events.