James Beard Foundation And Waldorf Astoria Team Up

Kristen Oliveri|Nov. 7, 2014 11:12 am EST

The Waldorf Hotel has crafted many iconic dishes over the years. Everything from eggs benedict to red velvet cake to the eponymous Waldorf salad came from their culinary genius. Today, it continues to be a place for innovation and for young chefs to showcase their talents.

In conjunction with the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has launched a global gastronomy-focused program coined Taste of Waldorf Astoria. Taste of Waldorf Astoria pairs young, emerging JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist chefs with prominent Michelin-starred Waldorf Astoria chefs in Rome, Berlin, Edinburgh, Shanghai, and La Quinta, California.

Global head of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts John T.A. Vanderslice told The Daily Meal that this program is an extension of the unique work that Waldorf chefs have been doing for quite some time.

"Through the Taste of Waldorf Astoria program, we're celebrating the culinary achievements of Waldorf Astoria New York while creating the next culinary inspiration. It's a tall order, but we have a tremendous amount of confidence in our Master Chefs to mentor these James Beard Foundation Rising Stars Semi-Finalists and to create something truly amazing," he said. "Our goal is to create a transcendent, unforgettable dish that becomes as iconic as those that came before it."

The program has each JBF chef visit their selected property for one week, spend time with the Waldorf Master Chef, visit local markets and producers, and dine at restaurants or off-the-beaten-path locations for inspiration. At the end of the week, each chef pairing will have devised a unique and innovative recipe.

Taste of Waldorf Astoria will culminate in February 2015 when each participating chef will return to Waldorf Astoria New York to prepare their recipes for a panel of culinary luminaries, who will ultimately decide the reigning recipe. Ultimately, the final Taste will be included on the menus of Waldorf Astoria's 28 hotels and resorts worldwide.

The full roster of the 'chef experiences':

Waldorf Astoria Berlin

October 18 – 23, 2014

Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Pierre Gagnaire

James Beard Foundation Chef: Christopher Kajioka of Vintage Cave (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

October 20 – 24, 2014

Waldorf Astoria Master Chef: Heinz Beck

James Beard Foundation Chef: David Posey of Blackbird (Chicago, Illinois)

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

November 17 – 21, 2014

Waldorf Astoria Master Chefs: Chris and Jeff Galvin, Craig Sandle