Home Cook Celebration Guide
In 2025, it’s Jacques Pépin’s 90th birthday, and everyone is invited! Host a 90/90 Celebration to support the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s mission to improve lives through culinary education.
Questions? Email us at events@jp.foundation
Start-to-Finish Hosting Toolkit
Everything you need for your celebration, from soup to nuts.
Plan Your Celebration
Will your 90/90 Celebration be a simple potluck, a grand catered gala, or something in between?
Choose Your Concept
As you determine what kind of event you will host, consider how many guests your home or venue can accommodate and how much cooking you personally want to do.
Find Your Inspiration
Explore recipes from Jacques’ classic television shows, connect with a Jacques Pépin Foundation Grantee near you (many of which offer catering!), or let nostalgia be your guide for a potluck menu of family favorites.
Three Ways to Raise
Decide if you will fundraise through direct donations (such as ticket sales) or inspired giving, then determine how you will collect donations and set a goal for your event.
Inspired Giving
- Invite guests to make a contribution to the JPF of any amount.
- Include a donation link with your invitation.
- Remind guests to donate in-person and have a printed QR code on hand for donations.
- Send a thank you note post-event with a final ask to give.
Ticketing
- Decide on a price point accessible for your guest list and ask guests to purchase tickets to the event.
- You can use a ticketing platform like EventBrite or collect donations via payment apps like Venmo, and then donate the total raised to the JPF.
- Consider multiple ticket levels for larger events or guests with a range of giving preferences and abilities.
Underwrite Your Event
Eager to support the JPF, but nervous about asking friends to donate? Host an event, and make your own donation to the JPF in honor of the 90/90 celebration.
Gather Your Guests
Use your invitation to set the tone for your celebration and inspire your guests’ generosity.
Customize an Invitation
Add your date and details to our template in Canva, customize the content of our sample email invitation, or use your favorite paperless invite platform to send digital invitations.
Recipe for Success
- Share your story about why this initiative resonates with you.
- Find the JPF Grantee closest to you and make sure your invitees know about their work.
- Demonstrate your passion to your guests and challenge them to match your commitment.
- No one will donate if you don’t give them the opportunity, so don’t be afraid to ask! On your invitations, you may want to include some language like, “If you are not able to attend but would like to support the Jacques Pépin Foundation, click here to donate.”
Design Your Menu
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned chef, explore some of Jacques’ favorite recipes organized by season on his hand-painted menu borders. Mix and match, cook yourself, delegate for a potluck, or collaborate with a caterer — the choice is yours!
Presentation Matters
- Add your menu to one of the painted borders made by Jacques Pépin himself.
- Send the image to guests before the event, share on socials with #CelebrateJacques, or print and present the menu as part of your party.
- See sample menus for inspiration.
Culinary Education For All
Find the right recipes and learning style for you:
- JPF technique video library
- JPF recipe and technique videos on YouTube
- JPF Membership, which includes Cook with Jacques Pépin & Friends Video Recipe Book
- All of Jacques’ cookbooks (available from Jacques’ local bookstore, RJ Julia)
- Jacques’ Online Cooking Course from Rouxbe: A Legacy of Technique
It’s Party Time
Welcome guests with a video greeting from Jacques and share the “Happy Cooking” spirit!
Signage and Materials for Your Party
Jacques at Your Party
90/90 Partners at Your Party
S.Pellegrino / Acqua Panna
Save up to 20% off your first order of S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water when you subscribe and save.
HINE Cognac
Receive 15% off any products online (Fine print: one-time offer that cannot be combined with other discounts, available through December 31, 2025)
Frank Family Vineyards
Promo code JB15 on our website for 15% savings storewide
Jacques’ Online Cooking Course from Rouxbe.com: "A Legacy of Technique"
Celebratory subscription price of $90 for Home Cook Hosts, which provides lifetime access to the online course of recipes and video instruction to improve your culinary skills ($249 retail)
Make the Memories Last
Your 90/90 Celebration will only last a short time, but the memories can endure forever!
Take Photos and Videos
Photos from your 90/90 Celebration don’t need to be fancy! Just use a camera phone to capture images and video of the food, drinks, and people at your party.
Instagram can add an online fundraiser if you tag @jacquespepinfoundation in your post or story and click “Create fundraiser” if you like.
Send Your Thanks and Your Donation
Your 90/90 Celebration brought people together in the spirit of community and culinary inspiration. Please share your gratitude and gift to make an even greater impact!
Send Donations
- If ticket sales or direct donations were collected at your event, make your tax-deductible donation to the Jacques Pépin Foundation.
Give Thanks to Guests
- Send an email or thank you card (with Jacques’ artwork!) to your guests thanking them for coming to your 90/90 Celebration.
- If you are fundraising through inspired giving, this is a perfect time to remind your guests to make their donation!
Keep Cooking
- We hope you will continue to share the JPF’s mission, become a JPF Member, and keep on “Happy Cooking!”