The James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour brings a taste of what happens at the James Beard House in New York City to more than 20 cities across the country each year.
IL Cielo will welcome the JBF tour again to Southwest Florida on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by Il Cielo’s Chef Melissa Akin, the dinner will begin with a cocktail reception featuring Tito’s Vodka and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. It will be followed by a multi-course dinner that features one-of-a-kind meals from JBF nominees who will prepare specialty and signature dishes, with wine pairings. It will end with a dessert course by Pastry Chef Lev Dalke, who graduated from The French Pastry School in Chicago.
“The opportunity for us to host a second James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour event at IL Cielo is something we are looking forward to,” General Manager Marcus Preece said. “For just one night, we will be hosting award winning chefs from across the country who, in turn, put together a six-course meal that everyone can enjoy.”
There will also be a chef meet-and-greet on Nov. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Participating JBF nominee chefs include Pat Sheerin (City Mouse, Ace Hotel, Chicago), Ed Sura (Hai, Austin), Paul Virant (Vie, Western Springs, Illinois, and Vistro, Hinsdale, Illinois) and Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia and Proxi, Chicago).
Tickets are $275 per person for the two-night event or $225 for the Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner.
They can be purchased by calling IL Cielo at 239-472-5555 or online starting on Sept. 15 at The James Beard Foundation website at www.jamesbeard.org/events/sanibel-island-fl-2.
The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable for everyone.
For more information, call 239-472-5555 or visit www.ilcielosanibel.com.
Il Cielo is at 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
