When it comes to choosing an epicurean event to spend money on, sticking with one put on by the James Beard Foundation is a pretty good bet. Especially if it’s one of the stops on the third annual Taste America: “Local Flavor from Coast To Coast” epicurean tour. Heading to 10 major cities between September 18 and November 7, Taste America officially kicks off in Miami with the All-Star Rocco DiSpirito dinner.
“This is an electrifying time in the food world, made evident by the remarkably innovative dishes chefs are creating in their respective cities, large and small, across America,” says Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Now in its third year, our Taste America program both celebrates and educates Americans about our country’s diverse culinary landscape, and the talented toques who are cultivating it. We are thrilled to bring Taste America to these ten dynamic cities this year, and unite some of the top talent in the industry for a truly unique dining experience.”
Held at The Forge in Miami Beach, Taste Miami will begin with a tasting reception to introduce you to the city’s finest culinary stars. There will be morsels from SUGARCANE raw bar grill, Ortanique on the Mile, Alter, and Glass & Vine. Afterwards, everyone will sit for a special four-course dinner prepared by the evening’s All-Star, the JBF award-winning Rocco DiSpirito. Along with local star Christopher Lee (also a JBF award winner) and Pastry Chef Sergio Navarro, Chef DiSpirito will do his best to blow your taste buds away.
Ticket prices vary from the $400 VIP All-Star ticket to the $2,250 Premier Table for Ten, which allows the option to host a local chef or special guest at your table. Serious foodies can check out the full schedule below and hit up every single stop on the national tour.
- September 18-19: Miami: All-Star Rocco DiSpirito*
- September 25-26: Charleston: All-Star Art Smith*; Phoenix: All-Star Michel Nischan*
- October 2-3: Minneapolis: All-Star Jonathan Waxman*; Seattle: All-Star Tyler Florence
- October 9-10: Boston: All-Star Traci Des Jardins*; New Orleans: All-Star April Bloomfield*
- October 23-24: Chicago: All-Star Mark Ladner*; San Francisco: All-Star Tony Mantuano*
- November 6-7: Los Angeles: All-Star Hugh Acheson*
*Notes James Beard Award Winner
