Month: October 2025

The 90/90 Celebration Campaign continued its nationwide journey in September, bringing together communities in New York, Seattle, and Dallas with Jacques’ joie de vivre. Each event offered guests an extraordinary dining experience while supporting the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s mission to expand access to culinary education and empower individuals and communities.

September 19, 2025: Culinary Walking Tour of Manhattan’s Chinatown Led by Grace Young in New York, NY

The sold-out walking tour—held 90 days from Jacques’ 90th birthday!—with the “accidental voice of Chinatown” Chef Grace Young offered guests an intimate exploration of one of New York City’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. Over two hours, participants visited hidden gems and beloved legacy eateries while sampling a diverse array of Chinese cuisine, from Salt and Pepper Softshell Crabs to Pandan Bolo Bao Cookies. Serving as guide and storyteller, Grace brought the neighborhood’s culinary and cultural history to life while honoring the tradition of community building that she and Jacques both cherish.

September 24, 2025: Neb in Seattle, WA

Guests gathered at Chef Tom Douglas’ rustic Italian restaurant in downtown Seattle for a generous family-style dinner that celebrated both Italian flavors and Jacques Pépin’s culinary legacy. The communal dining experience began with a welcome drink and a mozzarella tasting board, setting the tone for an evening of warm hospitality and shared plates. The wood-fired Italian menu was thoughtfully paired with red and white wine offerings in an atmosphere of cozy conviviality.

September 26, 2025: Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas, TX

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and the guests at Fearing’s Restaurant were treated to tremendous Texan hospitality at the end of September. Hosted by Chef Dean Fearing and featuring distinguished Dallas chefs Janice Provost, Tiffany Derry, and Kim Canteenwalla, the celebration began with a cocktail reception on Live Oak before guests were seated for a five-course dinner with wine pairings. The collaborative menu showcased the power of culinary community and shared purpose, while making meaningful impact and supporting the Foundation’s work to open doors for future generations of culinary professionals.

90/90 Press

The media took note of all the fun we had in September, too! In Seattle, Chef Tom Douglas appeared on New Day Northwest to promote the Neb dinner.

Thank you to all the chefs and guests who made September a meaningful month in our 90/90 Celebration. With Jacques’ actual 90th birthday coming ever closer, we are excited to continue celebrating his impact with JPF supporters nationwide!

Unique celebrations brought the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s 90/90 festivities to new heights in August 2025. Two distinctive approaches to the format of a 90/90 celebration showcased the Foundation’s mission and honored both fine dining and community empowerment.

August 1-31, 2025 at Cúrate Bar de Tapas in Asheville, NC

The entire month of August was a celebration of Jacques Pépin’s culinary legacy at Cúrate Bar de Tapas. Chef Katie Button, along with co-founder Felix Meana and Executive Chef Ángel Palacios, created a month-long tribute that seamlessly wove Spanish culinary tradition with Jacques’ classical French technique. All month long, diners at the James Beard Award-winning restaurant enjoyed specially crafted tapas and dessert options inspired by Jacques’ culinary excellence, with $5 from each dish sold supporting the foundation’s free culinary and life skills training programs. The beauty of this celebration lay in its accessibility; guests could simply dine at Cúrate during their regular service hours, making every meal throughout August a meaningful contribution to culinary education.

August 14, 2025 at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh with Catalyst Kitchens Network

The Jacques Pépin Foundation’s mission came full circle at the Catalyst Kitchens National Summit gala, held at the Community College of Allegheny County Culinary School with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. This remarkable evening brought together Pittsburgh’s finest chefs alongside chef instructors from several JPF grantee programs, including Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. The six-course menu read like a love letter to Jacques’ influence on American cuisine, with dishes such as stuffed oxheart with fermented tomato and herbs and a classic beef bourguignon. All proceeds benefited the Community Kitchen Pittsburgh’s culinary training and job placement programs, and representatives from several of the JPF’s Principal Grantees were present to participate in the Summit and the special celebration.

90/90 Press

The Pittsburgh City Paper and Pittsburgh Post Gazette were kind enough to share the collaboration between the JPF, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, and Catalyst Kitchens in their August restaurant news round up, and we were delighted to be joined by so many enthusiastic Pittsburgh food lovers and inspirational Community Kitchen changemakers at the event.

Our calendar may have slowed down for the dog days of summer, but our August celebrations were full of meaning and impact that we know will carry on all year long.