James Beard Foundation Brings Taste America Series to Boston
Taste America, presented by the James Beard Foundation, will gather 14 rising New England chefs for a unique tasting event in Boston. This program will feature a multi-station bites-and-sips experience…
Stock Photo
Taste America, presented by the James Beard Foundation, will gather 14 rising New England chefs for a unique tasting event in Boston. This program will feature a multi-station bites-and-sips experience on Thursday, Feb. 5, at The State Room, 60 State St., 33rd floor, in Boston.
According to a MassLive report, the event will be headlined by Douglass Williams of MIDA and will honor the James Beard Foundation's 2025-2026 TasteTwenty class, spotlighting rising talents in American dining. Proceeds from the event support the James Beard Foundation's mission to champion sustainable, equitable, and thriving independent restaurants and culinary innovation.
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to sample creations from several participating chefs. They include chef Douglass Williams's caramelized lamb ribs, Joanne Chang's sticky bun Kouign Amman with pecan caramel, and a broad array of offerings such as tuna tostadas, squid with miso-scallion carrot cake, beef heart pastrami, and more. Atomic Coffee Roasters will provide several beverage selections. Additionally, caviar, wine, mezcal, and other spirits will also be available.
Here's the complete list of participants:
- TasteTwenty Chef and James Beard Award Semifinalist Douglass Williams of MIDA in Boston
- Sarah Barlow of The Nautilus in Nantucket
- David Blessing of The State Room in Boston
- James Beard Award Semifinalist JuanMa Calderón of La Royal in Cambridge
- James Beard Award Winner Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston
- Stacy Deetz of Hangry Kitchen in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
- James Beard Award Nominee Conor Dennehy of Talulla in Cambridge
- Charlie Foster of Woods Hill Pier 4 and The Block at Woods Hill in Boston, and Woods Hill Table in Concord, Massachusetts
- Drew Grosse of Lobster Trap in Bourne
- Lester Herrera of RUKA in Boston
- James Beard Award Semifinalist Nicole Nocella of Stalk in Dover, New Hampshire
- Brendan Pelley of Krasi in Boston
- James Beard Award Semifinalist Michael Scelfo of Alden & Harlow in Cambridge
- James Beard Award Nominee and James Beard Award Semifinalist Cara Tobin of Honey Road
and The Grey Jay in Burlington, Vermont - James Beard Award Nominee Reneé Touponce of the Oyster Club and The Port of Call in Mystic, Connecticut
Tickets can be purchased online. Premier tickets cost $225 (for entry at 6 p.m.), and general tickets are $100 (for entry at 7 p.m.).
More details about the event are available on the James Beard Foundation's website.
