Don Newcomb, Founder of ChicaGourmets!, was inducted into
Confrérie de la Chaîne de Rôtisseurs on May 27, 2008.
Beverly Blettner, board member of ChicaGourmets! is honored . . .
Sharon Meyers, Jerry Packer, Beverly Blettner, Mishi Packer.
Presentation of plaque honoring Founder, Don Newcomb on the
Sharon Meyers (L), Taste America Chicago Planner, Chef Charlie Trotter, Event Co-Chair and Julie Pfeiffer (R), Marketing Manager and Special Events, the James Beard Foundation, enjoy a sold out event at the Signature Room at the 95th, the first fundraiser of its kind for the Foundation, September 28, 2007. Photo by anon.
Celebrating the diversity of American cuisine across 20 cities and in honor of the James Beard Foundation's 20th Anniversary, the Taste America dinner event was held as both a fundraiser and friendraiser for the foundation across the U.S. on September 28. In Chicago, Taste America was held at the Signature Room at the 95th, with a sell out crowd of 190 guests. The five-course Harvest-themed dinner with wine pairings by Freemark Abbey was provided by Chefs Alex Cheswick, May Street Market; Bill Kim, Le Lan; Mike Sheerin, Blackbird; Patrick Sheerin, Signature Room at the 95th and Bruce Sherman, North Pond. A portion of the proceeds were also donated to Common Threads.
(L-R) Jim Price, Don Newcomb, Ferran Adria and Sharon Meyers pose at the 20th Anniversary Celebration at Charlie Trotters, October 28, 2007. Photo by anon.
Charlie Trotter's Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary with International Elan
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Charlie Trotter's Restaurant, the namesake chef/owner offered a top chef dinner on October 7, with proceeds going to his culinary foundation. Chef Charlie Trotter and his select world's star toques: Spain's Ferran Adria, California's Thomas Keller, England's Heston Blumenthal and Australia's Tetsuya Wakuda all prepared dishes for this gala event. Through an interpreter, Ferran Adria noted that "Right now Chicago is the center of gastronomy." His El Bulli restaurant has received international attention for innovative cuisine; Chef Adria explained that his invitation from Chef Trotter marked the first time he had cooked outside of his own restaurant in a decade.
(Left) Wilbert Jones with (Right) Wilbert Jones with .
(L-R) Wilbert Jones etc.
Photos by Antoinette Simpson of "Create Me Instant Images" www.dotphoto.com