Today the James Beard Foundation announced featured chefs, cities, and programming for its Summer 2021 Taste America culinary series. The series, presented by Capital One, will once again resume in-person dining events, kicking off Wednesday, June 23rd in Philadelphia with events in ten total cities nationwide through August 30th.
For this summer’s Taste America series, the James Beard Foundation is excited to be able to bring chefs and diners back together to safely celebrate local independent restaurants in-person, and support efforts to rebuild a more sustainable and equitable industry.
Each event ticket includes a three-course meal by a local chef, showcasing their signature style and highlighting the uniqueness of their community, plus beverage pairings to be enjoyed in-person at the participating restaurant, with safety regulations strictly enforced as mandated by the local governance. Locally curated menus for each participating city can be viewed at www.jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.
Capital One cardholders have the exclusive opportunity to purchase a Capital One Access Pass that allows them to enjoy the three-course meal and beverage pairings while also receiving exclusive special perks. You must use an eligible Capital One card to purchase a Capital One Access Pass. Excludes Capital One-issued private label cards. Availability is limited. The box office opens for the general public and Capital One cardholders on Thursday, May 20th at noon EST for all events and tickets can be purchased at www.jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.
The Taste America series supports local chefs and restaurants directly while also driving philanthropic support towards industry-wide relief. 65% of all tickets sold will go directly to the participating chefs’ restaurants to support their business, with 35% supporting The James Beard Foundation’s national programming, including the Open for Good campaign. The James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign is committed to helping independent restaurants survive the COVID-19 crisis, rebuild stronger, and thrive for the long term. As part of this campaign, the Foundation has created the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, which recently provided its second round of $15,000 grants to food and beverage businesses, majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals, across six regions nationally. For information on the Foundation’s Open for Good campaign, industry support resources, and the Investment Fund, please visit jamesbeard.org/aboutopenforgood.
This year’s Summer 2021 Taste America programming dates, participating chefs, and cities include the following:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
Philadelphia: Chefs Aimee Olexy, Charles Parker, and Jacquelyn Palillero, Talula’s Garden
TUESDAY, JUNE 29
Washington, D.C.: Chef Haidar Karoum, Chloe
TUESDAY, JULY 13
Chicago: Chef Brian Jupiter, Frontier
MONDAY, JULY 19
New Orleans: Chef Arvinder Vilkhu, Saffron
TUESDAY, JULY 20
Los Angeles: Chef Brandon Kida, Hinoki & the Bird
SUNDAY, JULY 25
Denver: Chef Caroline Glover, Annette
FRIDAY, JULY 30
Park City: Chef Tamara Stanger, The Lakehouse at Deer Creek
SUNDAY, AUGUST 15
Seattle: Chef Rachel Yang, Revel
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
San Francisco Bay Area: Chefs Nelson German and Felicia Tom, Sobre Mesa
MONDAY, AUGUST 30
Boston: Chefs John daSilva and Stef Bui, Chickadee
