On the Menu: August 15 through August 21

Here’s what’s happening at the Beard House and around the country next week: Monday, August 16, 7:00 P.M. American Artisan Dinner At their beloved cheese shop and bistro in Providence, Matt and Kate Jennings serve diligently sourced, honest, handmade food inspired by the seasons and their New England setting. The talented chefs conceived this exquisite dinner as an ode to American artisanal dairy products, which will be featured in each course. Tuesday, August 17, 7:00 P.M. Italian Gem Though some New Yorkers have a policy against eating anywhere north of 23rd Street, the Upper East Side’s Spigolo, which received two stars from Times critic Frank Bruni, has convinced many a downtowner to make an exception. Run by husband-and-wife team Scott and Heather Fratangelo, Spigolo serves thoughtful, modern interpretations of Southern Italian cuisine. Wednesday, August 18, 7:00 P.M. Chesapeake Bay Seafood Celebration A quintessential turn-of-the-century American dining saloon, J. Paul’s has long been one of D.C.’s most historic and popular watering holes. But since executive chef Tom Crenshaw arrived in the kitchen in 2008, the pub has also become one of the city’s best places to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay’s bountiful shellfish. Thursday, August 19, 7:00 P.M. Southern California Farm to Table It’s easy to support locally sourced ingredients when you live in abundant Southern California, but at Schaffer’s Genuine Foods, chefs Charlie and Kathleen Schaffer take locavore eating to a new level. While everything on their menu is made with sustainable and eco-conscious products, it’s their expertly crafted food that keeps high-profile clients coming back. Thursday, August 19, 7:00 P.M. Celebrity Chef Tour: Portland, OR Guest Celebrity Chef JBF Award Winner Holly Smith Cafe Juanita/ Kirkland, WA Guest Celebrity Chef Jason Wilson Crush/ Seattle Host/Celebrity Chef Cathy Whims Celebrity Chef Tour events are dinners that benefit the James Beard Foundation, in which JBF Award winners and other celebrity chefs travel to private clubs, resorts, and other exclusive venues across America to prepare dinners and promote the culinary arts. For details and reservations, visit www.jamesbeard.org/events or call 212.627.2308.