New Orleans Gears Up For The 5th Annual James Beard Foundation Taste America Tour

The James Beard Foundation will kick off its fifth annual Taste America Tour on Sept. 22 with stops in 10 cities across the United States, including New Orleans. The foundation, which has become the gold standard for recognizing culinary excellence as well as facilitating the growth and promotion of the culinary industry, will pair all-star chefs across the country with prominent local chefs in each city included on the tour to produce an extraordinary meal.

The New Orleans leg of the six-week tour will begin with a benefit dinner on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, located in the French Quarter. The event, which boasts a slew of accomplished chefs, will be hosted by two who are local culinary royalty: John Folse and Rick Tramonto (Restaurant R'evolution). The event will begin with a tasting reception highlighting cuisine from a variety of notable chefs throughout the city, including Zachary Engel (Shaya), who received the 2017 James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef. The reception will include bites from Kristin Essig and Michael Stoltzfus (Coquette), Nick Lama (Avo), Michael Sichel (Galatoire's), and Martha Wiggins (Sylvain) and will also feature James Beard Award winner Arnaud's French 75.

The main event will showcase a menu created by the all-star/local star duo, Rocco DiSpirito and Rebecca Wilcomb (Herbsaint), both celebrated chefs and James Beard Award winners. In addition, Kelly Fields (Willa Jean) will be heading up the night's bread service while Mike Regua (Antoine's Restaurant) will handle pastry. Event tickets can be purchased online.

In addition to the benefit dinner, chefs Dispirito and Wilcomb will hold free cooking demonstrations on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Sur La Table in Baton Rouge. DiSpirito will have copies of his cookbook on hand for sale and signing. Space is limited for these demonstrations, and reservations may be made online beginning on September 22.