The 2018 James Beard Foundation Gala

6:30 P.M. Reception and Silent Auction
8:00 P.M. Dinner and Live Auction

Honoring Eric Kessler, Founder, Arabella Advisors and Michel Nischan, Founder & CEO, Wholesome Wave for their role in launching and guiding the signature JBF Impact Program: Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change.
 

JBF Gala: Rise is a celebration of the countless ways our food community rises to meet the world’s challenges and make it a better, sustainable, more delicious place. The event will showcase chefs who embody the leadership, diversity, and tenacity that the James Beard Foundation supports everyday through our Scholarship, Women’s Leadership, and Impact programs. 
 

Featuring

Kathleen Blake, The Rusty Spoon, Orlando, FL

Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.

Michael Cimarusti, Providence, Los Angeles 

Duskie Estes, ZaZu Kitchen and Farm, Sebastapol, CA

Alicia Hinze, The Buttered Tin, Saint Paul, MN

JBF Award Winner Jen Jasinski, Rioja, Denver

Mourad Lahlou, Mourad, San Francisco 

Ouita Michel, Holly Hill Inn, Midway, KY

Kwame Onwuachi, Kith and Kin, Washington, D.C.

Jan Wichayanuparp, Sweet Republic, Phoenix

Host Chef Ashfer Biju, The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, NYC

Host Pastry Chef Michael Mignano, The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, NYC
 

Event Chairs

Henni and John Kessler
Robin and Frederic Seegal
 

Vice Chair

Nancy Lukitsh
 

Auctioneer 

Letitia Fry
 

Support Levels

Chair: $25,000
Premium seating for 10, plus a featured chef and guest at your table (12 seats total), with personalized table signage and place cards. Access to exclusive VIP reception lounge plus private kitchen tour, photo opportunity, Champagne toast with the participating chefs and a VIP gift bag. Prominent listing as Event Chair on all relevant collateral materials, including a full-page ad in the event program. In addition, a Beard House boardroom dinner for up to 12 guests on a mutually agreed upon date.

Vice Chair: $20,000
Preferred seating for 10, plus a featured chef and guest at your table (12 seats total), with personalized table signage and place cards. Access to exclusive VIP reception lounge plus private kitchen tour, photo opportunity, Champagne toast with the participating chefs, and a VIP gift bag. Listing as Vice Chair on all relevant collateral materials including a full-page ad in the event program.

Benefactor: $15,000
Preferred seating for 10, plus a featured chef and guest at your table (12 seats total), with personalized table signage and place cards. Access to exclusive VIP reception lounge and a VIP gift bag. Listing as Benefactor on all relevant collateral materials.  

Supporter: $10,000
Preferred dinner seating for 10. Access to exclusive VIP reception plus an VIP gift bag. Listing on all collateral materials as Supporter.

Benefactor Ticket: $1,500
Preferred dinner seating for 1. Access to exclusive VIP reception lounge plus a VIP gift bag.

Supporter Ticket: $500
Dinner seating for 1. Access to reception plus an event gift bag.

RSVP

Table Purchases: Julie Marshall, jmarshall@jamesbeard.org 
Ticket Purchases: JBF Reservations, 212-627-2308

Purchase tickets here.

Black-tie attire