An elegant al fresco multi-course dinner with curated wine pairings.

Featured Participants

Chef/Co-Owner
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Andy Elliott
Modern Bird
Traverse City, MI

Pastry Chef/Co-Owner
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Emily Stewart
Modern Bird
Traverse City, MI

Executive Chef/Partner
James Beard Award Nominee®
Andy Hollyday
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Selden Standard
Detroit, MI

Co-Chef/Owner
James Beard Award Nominee® 
Jennifer Blakeslee
The Cooks’ House
Traverse City, MI

Co-Chef/Owner
James Beard Award Nominee®
Eric Patterson
The Cooks’ House
Traverse City, MI

Chef/Owner
James Beard Award Nominee® 
Sarah Welch
Umbo
Traverse City, MI

Chef/Owner
Cameron Rolka
Umbo
Traverse City, MI

Chef/Owner
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Anthony Lombardo
SheWolf Pastificio & Bar and Medusa Cucina Siciliana
Detroit, MI

Executive Chef/Partner
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Myles Anton
Trattoria Stella
Traverse City, MI

Master Sommelier
James Beard Award Nominee®
Madeline Triffon
Detroit, MI

Advanced Sommelier/Co-Proprietor
Amanda Danielson
Trattoria Stella
Traverse City, MI

Join us on the opening night of Traverse City Food & Wine as Open Space Park transforms into an extraordinary waterfront dining destination celebrating Michigan’s remarkable culinary moment. This elegant al fresco experience brings together an unparalleled lineup of James Beard Award–recognized chefs, sommeliers, and restaurateurs for a collaborative multi-course dinner rooted in Michigan ingredients, regional traditions, and the creativity shaping the state’s food culture. Each course will be complemented by thoughtfully curated wine and beverage pairings selected to showcase the depth of Michigan’s wine region, creating an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence, hospitality, and place.

Traverse City Food & Wine is part of the Friends of James Beard Benefit® series; events hosted by generous people, businesses, and organizations outside of JBF that provide critical funding for our programs. Each event supports our mission to champion a standard of Good Food for Good® anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.