Arts & Entertainment

James Beard Foundation Event to Honor Bobby Flay


The James Beard Foundation's annual Chefs & Champagne® tasting event and fundraiser will take place on the grounds of the Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack on Saturday, July 26. This year's guest of honor will be the chef Bobby Flay.

35 Chefs will be on hand cooking up their signature recipes for guests to sample while sipping champagne, Wölffer Estate wines and Stella Artois® Belgian lager. Tasting stations will be set up beneath a tent on the grounds of the vineyard.

Honoree Bobby Flay has been on the James’ Beard Foundation’s radar since the start of his career back in 1993 when he was chosen as the foundation’s Rising Chef of the Year. Since then his career has continued its ascendency, and Flay has added roles as a television personality and noted cookbook author to his resume. In 2007, he was inducted into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.

“We are delighted to be able to recognize him,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Not only has he starred in over a dozen hit national cooking shows, co-hosted the James Beard Awards, and taught President Obama how to grill on the White House lawn, but the native New Yorker manages to maintain the integrity of each and every one of his projects along the way. Bobby truly is one of the finest chefs of our time.”

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Flay began his career at 17 on the line at Joe Allen’s restaurant, the theater district landmark, and most recently opened his sixth restaurant, Gato, in NoHo. He has appeared on the Food Network since 1994 and has been a regular on the television food shows, as a host and a guest, for two decades. His newest show is Beat Bobby Flay. For more than 10 years, Flay was the resident chef and lifestyle correspondent for The Early Show on CBS and CBS Sunday Morning. His restaurants are now open in cities across the country including Las Vegas and Paradise Island, in the Bahamas.

Flay said he is thrilled to be joining the ranks of the “gastronomic greats” that have been previously honored by the foundation such as Julia Child, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, and Emeril Lagasse.

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The James Beard Foundation, founded in 1986, supports a wide variety of philanthropic initiatives, including culinary student scholarships and an annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition. The annual dinner in the Hamptons is one of the foundation’s leading fundraisers and a silent auction has also been organized featuring an array of exclusive dining experiences, wines and spirits, cookware, and culinary travel packages.

The foundation will also announce the recipient of the Christian Wölffer Scholarship at the event. Established in 2006, this scholarship fund supports students in their study of food and wine. As of 2013, the James Beard Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in financial aid to 1,570 recipients throughout the country.

The Chefs & Champagne® event will begin at 6 and run until 8:30 in the evening. It is open to the public and tickets cost $200 for James Beard Foundation members and $275 for non-members. General admission includes all tastings, silent auction bidding opportunities and gift bag. To purchase tickets or inquire about VIP reservations or purchasing a block of tickets visit the foundation’s website jamesbeard.org/chefsandchampagne or call 212-627-2308.






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