On the Menu: April 17 through 23

by jbfauthor on April 15, 2011

Here’s what’s happening at the Beard House next week: Sunday, April 17th, 6:00 P.M. Seventh Annual Tapas Challenge Back after a two-year hiatus, our tapas challenge has returned! Join the James Beard Foundation Greens when three of Nantucket’s top chefs face off in our annual tapas and wine pairing competition. After taking home the title in 2008, Tom Berry returns to defend his championship against two of Nantucket’s best chefs, Mike Lascola of American Seasons and Scott Osif of Galley Beach. Each chef will cook delicious dishes to pair with this year’s wines: Albariño, Grenache/Garnacha, and Syrah. The Greens will then judge each contestant’s pairings and decide the winner of this year’s tapas title. Wednesday, April 20, 7:00 P.M. Taste of Timbers Resorts With combined experience at the French Laundry and other Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, the chefs from the Timbers Resorts create unrivaled dining experiences. For this special Beard House event, the trio will present an international menu that represents the resort group’s globe-spanning brand. Thursday, April 21, 7:00 P.M. The Virtue of Abruzzo Savor the bold, rustic cuisine of Italy’s Abruzzo region, which is artfully rendered by executive chef Joe Cicala at Le Virtù in Philadelphia. Cicala, who trained under Michelin-starred chef Pietro Rispoli in Italy, has cooked in some of the most prestigious Italian restaurants in the U.S., including Del Posto and Roberto Donna’s Galileo. Friday, April 22, 7:00 P.M. Savoring Southern California With a reputation for selecting only the most pristine, sustainable ingredients and preparing them with both impressive skill and respect, chef Ray Garcia of FIG Restaurant in Santa Monica was the natural choice to prepare dinner for us this Earth Day. Join us as we enjoy Garcia’s bistro-inspired homage to Southern California’s cuisine. Saturday, April 23, 7:00 P.M. Earth, Wind, and Fire Both known for stylish and inventive Asian cuisine, Susur Lee and Doron Wong are joining forces for a one-of-a-kind Beard House meal. Join us when these culinary powerhouses present a stunning menu inspired by the elemental forces of nature. For details and reservations, visit www.jamesbeard.org/events or call 212.627.2308.