James Beard Foundation's 'Taste America' Tour Stops in Philadelphia

The James Beard Foundation Taste America Tour hits Philly on October 4

By A.D. AMOROSI

The James Beard Foundation, created in dedication to the late, critically-acclaimed chef and author, is one of the food world’s most valued commodities with award-giving culinary events held exclusively at its Manhattan outpost, the James Beard House. That’s what makes the Foundation’s October Taste America Traveling Food Festival – with stops in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Phoenix – so magical. Food lovers and top chefs get the chance to interact, and of course, eat and cook. The Philly stop is Friday, October 4, at Peachtree & Ward's Pêche in East Falls.

Subtitled “The Philadelphia Food Evolution,” the local Taste America dining stop features Carla Hall, a Top Chef (Bravo) contestant and co-host of the morning food show The Chew (ABC). Participants in Taste America four-course meal in Philly are the legendary Georges Perrier, Steve Poses, Suzanna Foo and Jean-Marie Lacroix, along with the new school Philly chefs such as Pierre Calmels.

Two of the area's finest chefs act as hosting partners with Hall: Patrick Feury (Nectar; Berwyn, PA) and friend of Glamorosi Magazine, David Katz (Creekstone Farms; Philadelphia, PA).

Glamorosi and Chef David Katz at Mémé 

“I’m doing events here and there and trying to keep my hands in food, as I don’t wanna get too rusty,” jokes Katz, who is currently the company chef for Creekstone Farms, and was, in his recent past, the owner and executive chef of the now-closed restaurant, Mémé. “Creekstone (known for its top of the line beef) is definitely a different work lifestyle that I’ve ever been exposed to. I love the schedule.”

Katz’s schedule got a little more hectic when the James Beard Foundation called. His relationship with the James Beard people has been great over the past few years, and Katz has had the great pleasure of cooking in the James Beard House and at their events. “Everyone I’ve ever had any interaction with there has always been great from a professional and personal standpoint. They are a very inviting, caring bunch, and have their sights set on the goal pretty strongly.”

As for Taste America, Katz says he’s in support of a healthy lifestyle through the promotion of whole foods, cooking, shopping and education, the Beard Foundation’s ultimate goal. For the October 4 event itself, he’ll be hosting and working with chefs such as LaCroix and Perrier amongst others (“those guys are the prime example of this city’s epic status”) along with representing Creekstone Farms with a table. “I’ll be serving Moroccan-inspired tripe stew with beef cheeks, tomatoes, chick peas, and parsley. Of course I’m serving tripe. We have to challenge the diners somewhat right?”

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

The James Beard Foundation's Taste America, Friday, October 4, starting at 6 PM at Pêche, a Peachtree and Ward venue, 3502 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia, PA. For more info and tickets click here.

To see our previous articles on Chef David Katz, click here.

Photo of Glamorosi and David Katz ©A.D. Amorosi 2011

Posted on Friday, October 4, 2013