A spectacular month of coast-to-coast celebrations brought together diverse culinary voices united in support of the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s mission to expand access to culinary education. From intimate fine dining experiences to collaborative chef showcases, May’s 90/90 Celebrations demonstrated the transformative power of culinary workforce development in communities nationwide.

May 4, 2025 at River Bar in Westerly, RI
The month began with a waterfront celebration hosted by Chef James Wayman and his team highlighting local Rhode Island farms and Narragansett Bay producers. The evening featured a welcome cocktail reception followed by a five-course plated dinner, including a particularly lovely dish of lobster-creamed local oysters with spelt potato bread and fried ramps. Each course was complemented with beautifully paired wines to accompany the chef’s creations. Jacques himself joined guests for this delicious evening, along with Ben Dubow, Executive Director of Forge City Works. With opportunities to dine with Jacques and to connect directly with a local JPF Grantee organization, this was an especially meaningful and memorable evening.

May 8, 2025 at Tarbell’s in Phoenix, AZ
In the Arizona desert, Chef and JPF Board Member Mark Tarbell poured his three decades of culinary expertise into a very special menu honoring Jacques in the beautiful Tarbell’s dining room. The evening began with a sparkling wine greeting before the sophisticated five-course menu and paired wines, showcasing the restaurant’s longstanding commitment to using the best local ingredients. Co-hosted with culinary educator Barb Fenzl and with a special appearance from Edwin Donnovan Jimenez, Director of Social Enterprises at the JPF Grantee UMOM New Day Center, the dinner highlighted the vital connection between established restaurants and culinary education.

May 12, 2025 at Casa Teresa x The Square in Washington, DC
Washington’s culinary scene came alive with an innovative walk-around dinner experience featuring five distinguished guest chef stations and a very special appearance from Chef-Owner Jose Andrés at The Square. Chef Rubén García led a collaborative celebration alongside Kevin Tien (Moon Rabbit), Matt Conroy (Lutèce), Isabel Coss (Lutèce), Claudio Foschi (Oyamel), and Carlos Delgado (Causa). This progressive feast format allowed guests to engage directly with each chef while experiencing diverse interpretations of French techniques through modern and multicultural lenses. DC Central Kitchen was represented by Workforce Development Director Mikeya Kirksey, who shared her impressions of how being a JPF Grantee organization has uplifted the DCCK program and its students. The evening perfectly embodied the Foundation’s belief that culinary education creates opportunities for people from all backgrounds to share their unique perspectives with the community.

May 13, 2025 at Bad Idea in Nashville, TN
Chef Colby Rasavong’s intimate four-course dinner on Bad Idea’s balcony made for another delicious night in Music City. Attendees were treated to a menu of creative interpretations of Jacques’ iconic recipes, including a delicate Comté and Gruyere soufflé. Drawing from his Lao heritage and extensive fine dining background, Rasavong demonstrated how culinary education creates pathways for chefs to honor traditional techniques while expressing their personal culinary voices. The intimate setting allowed for meaningful connections between guests, and reinforced the Foundation’s belief that communities are stronger with great food and warm company.

May 14, 2025 at Tiro A Segno of NY in New York, NY
The oldest Italian heritage organization in the United States provided an historic backdrop for Chef Massimiliano Convertini’s tribute dinner with Italian influences. The evening began with a pre-dinner cocktail reception followed by a five-course meal, creating ample opportunity for guests to learn about both the Jacques Pépin Foundation and the Tiro A Segno Foundation’s missions. This collaboration between two educational organizations highlighted how culinary training serves as a bridge between cultures and generations. The intimate setting within this private club emphasized the Foundation’s role in creating networks that support culinary professionals and build communities.

May 19, 2025 at Mixtli in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio’s first Michelin-starred restaurant showcased the artistry of regional Mexican cuisine through the collaborative work of Chef partners Diego Galicia and Rico Torres. Their specially curated tasting menu demonstrated how Jacques’ techniques could enhance traditional Mexican flavors and preparations, and sommelier Hailey Pruitt’s wine selections created a beverage experience that complemented the cuisine. The enchilada totonaca dish, with sweet potato, salsa macha, and a savory crêpe made a perfect example of the harmony between French technique and Mexican flavors, and the evening reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to supporting culinary education that honors cultural heritage.

May 20, 2025 at Fiola in Washington, DC
Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi and Executive Chef Antonio Mermolia created an intimate dining experience in Fiola’s private dining room. The exquisite tasting menu featured fine ingredients and preparations inspired by Jacques, all paired with selections from Fiola’s award-winning wine list. A white Burgundy wine poured alongside a creamy omelet topped with caviar and parmesan foam was a standout pairing, but the favorite dish of the evening was delicate ravioli filled with foie gras. The guests shared stories of their personal connections to Jacques over a selection of dainty bonbons and mignardises, making a heartwarming end to the elegant evening.

May 20, 2025 at Provenance in Philadelphia, PA
Chef Nicholas Bazik presented a once-in-a-lifetime tasting menu that highlighted his unique blend of classical French techniques with subtle Korean influences from his wife Eunbin’s heritage. Burgundy snail with spring peas, hazelnuts, and Bordelaise combined the tender bounty of spring with the decadence that French cuisine is known for, making for a delicious study in contrasts. John Gonzalez, CEO of Cathedral Kitchen, shared how being a JPF Grantee organization has opened doors for his program’s participants and their communities in Camden, NJ. The evening truly demonstrated that culinary education creates opportunities for meaningful life changes as well as exciting creative expression for people everywhere.

May 22, 2025 at Emmer & Rye in Austin, TX
This popular Austin eatery hosted a special Breaking Bread evening where Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Kevin Fink returned to celebrate Jacques’ legacy with iconic dishes from his cookbooks. The informal à la carte menu made the celebration accessible while still bringing great food made from local ingredients to the Austin food scene. This approach reflected the Foundation’s work to make culinary education available in diverse formats and settings. Bella Kirchner, VP of Client Programs & Services at the Central Texas Food Bank, spoke with attendees about the impact of their program’s JPF Grant for their workforce development students.

May 27, 2025 at Asador Bastian in Chicago, IL
Chef Doug Psaltis transformed the historic 1883 Flair House into a stage for Spanish-influenced culinary artistry, with Chefs Christian Eckmann and Hsing Chen joining to create a five-course Jacques-inspired menu. Two seatings at the communal Chef’s Table featured pristine seafood and Txuleton beef sourced from small farms, expertly paired with Spanish wine selections. From soufflé to Crêpes Suzette, the menu bridged French technique with Basque inspiration. The collaborative approach among the three chefs demonstrated how culinary education fosters professional relationships that elevate the entire industry, supporting the Foundation’s efforts to create networks of skilled culinary professionals.

May 30, 2025 at Giusto in Newport, RI
The month concluded with a spectacular waterfront celebration with Jacques enjoying a collaborative dinner hosted by Chef Kevin O’Donnell and featuring Giusto’s Executive Chef William Rietzel and Pastry Chef Sarah LaRose, with guest chefs Robert Andreozzi (Pizza Marvin), Basil Yu (Yagi Noodles), and Eric Brown (Frank and Laurie’s). The five-course tasting menu with beverage pairings began with passed canapés, including an old-fashioned tête de cochon (much to Jacques’ delight) and Champagne against Newport’s stunning sunset views. Each chef contributed their individual style while drawing heavily from classic French cuisine, creating a perfect finale for the month.
90/90 Press
We even caught the eye of some local media outlets in May! Emmer & Rye’s dinner was the featured event in Eater’s round up of upcoming specialty dinners in Austin, with Austin Monthly also reporting.
May’s extraordinary 90/90 events celebrated Jacques and the JPF’s far-reaching impact across diverse communities and culinary traditions. Each celebration reinforced our shared commitment to expanding access to professional culinary training that transforms lives and strengthens communities through the power of food.