If you’ve read my blog posts, you know that I love foodie events, and one that I was thrilled to be invited to attend last month was the James Beard Award Gala.  Named in honor of the legendary chef, James Beard, the awards are said to be the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America.

 

 

That this was a prestigious gathering was more than evident by its location, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center,and its star studded attendees including Master of Ceremonies,  Oliver Platt, Martha Stewart, Humanitarian Award winner Emeril Lagasse, Jacques Pepin, Mario Batali, and Daniel Boulud.

 

The theme for the night concerned a spotlight on Food and Film and, while the focus was on the awards that would make the careers of  the winning chefs, restaurateurs, restaurant designers, and cookbook authors, the true highlight was the after party that took place about three hours later.

The upper and lower levels of Avery Fisher Hall  were dotted with stations of  film themed food prepared by famous chefs including Todd English, Marcus Samuelsson, Douglas Rodriguez, Michael Mina, David Myers, and Traci Des Jardins.

 

 

When the awards were just about over, the code words, “Game On” were broadcast  to the chefs and the race was on the complete the preparation of the fabulous meals that each were to prepare for the night’s festivities.

Wonderful night! Click here more on the James Beard Foundation, the award winners and the festivities.