Lexington, Kentucky, June 22, 2011 — The James Beard Foundation has long been recognized as the driving force in the discovery and promotion of top chefs and emerging food ways in the United States. Its mission is to celebrate, preserve, and nurture all of the many facets food plays in American culture. The Foundation maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” to showcase the country’s most talented chefs, wine makers, cookbook author, and teachers. It has been said that an invitation to cook at the prestigious James Beard House is the culinary equivalent of performing at Carnegie Hall.
The James Beard Foundation has invited Jean Farris Winery and Bistro with Executive Chef Justin Thompson to come to New York and showcase not only the food, but also the internationally awarded Kentucky wines that have made them a regional success. The dinner event headlined as “Kentucky Wine Estate” will be held at the James Beard House in New York City on August 11th and will include the pairing of Jean Farris wines with the uniquely Kentucky dishes that are a staple of Jean Farris Winery and Bistro.
Chef Thompson will be preparing hors d’oeuvres and a five-course dinner that, as always, starts in the estate garden. “We are taking Jean Farris on the road; we are not changing what we do for the James Beard House. We are offering their guests a seat at the Jean Farris table,” says Chef Thompson. In order to showcase the difference in flavors produced from the central Kentucky region, they will be carrying vegetables grown in their Lexington, Kentucky garden to New York City. When asked about this extreme measure, owner/vintner Ben O’Daniel simply answered, “The unequalled flavors that are in our food and wine start with the soil that is Kentucky.” Dishes for the event range from an heirloom tomato tasting, currently on the Jean Farris summer menu, to Kentucky milk-fed veal. Jean Farris will also be releasing a new sparkling wine, Constellations, at the event.
Details on the Kentucky Wine Estate event at the James Beard House in New York City on August 11th can be found on the events page at www.jamesbeard.org. If you are planning a trip to New York City and would like to attend the event at the James Beard House reservations can be made by calling 212-627-2308. In preparation for the event, Jean Farris will host a preview dinner at their Winery & Bistro in Lexington, KY on Thursday, July 28. The cost for the preview dinner at the winery is $80 and includes wine pairing. Advance reservation is required and available by calling 859-263-WINE (9463).
For further information on the James Beard Foundation, go to www.jamesbeard.org. For information on Jean Farris, their wines, current menu, events and to make reservations go to www.jeanfarris.com or call 859-263-9463.
