Intercontinental San Francisco
- When
- November 15, 2025
- Where
-
Intercontinental San Francisco
888 Howard St
San Francisco, CA - Tickets/Info
- Get Tickets
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary celebration honoring the 90th birthday of the legendary Chef Jacques Pépin. Hosted in the elegant Luce Room at Bistro 888, this exclusive evening brings together lovers of food, tradition, and excellence to pay tribute to one of the most influential chefs of our time. Space is limited for this intimate celebration. Reserve your seat at the table as we toast to 90 years of brilliance, generosity, and gastronomic artistry.
Highlights
- Welcome cocktails created by guest bartender Achille Moga from Library By the Sea, named one of North America’s 50 Best Bars.
- Guests will enjoy an inspired multi-course dinner highlighting the timeless techniques and signature flavors that define Chef Pépin’s remarkable legacy.
- The menu will be created in collaboration with some of the Intercontinental Hotel Groups most prominent Chefs including: Chef Norma Whitt, Intercontinental San Francisco; Chef Kristin Beringson, Kimpton Aertson, Nashville; Chef Massimo De Francesca, Kimpton Seafire and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman Island; and Chef Gyo Santa, Willard Intercontinental Washington D.C.
Details
- Reception and Appetizers from 5-6pm
- 4-course Dinner from 6-9pm
- Thanks to the generosity of the participating event host, a portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the Jacques Pépin Foundation to support our mission of expanding access to culinary education. We deeply appreciate your generous support.
- Jacques Pépin proudly supports our 90/90 Celebrations. While he can't be present at all of them, we invite you to check our website for details on the events where he will joining in celebration.
- For more information, contact Intercontinental San Francisco
Event Host
Norma Whitt
Director of Food and Beverage and Culinary Operations, InterContinental San Francisco
Norma Whitt brings over 20 years of culinary expertise to her role as Director of Food and Beverage and Culinary Operations at the InterContinental San Francisco, where she has been a key leader for the past three years.
A native of Southern California, Norma has built an impressive career marked by leadership roles in prestigious hospitality settings across the country. Before joining InterContinental San Francisco, Norma served as Executive Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore. Prior to that, she was the Executive Sous Chef at Four Seasons San Francisco, where she was responsible for the hotel’s banquet and outlet culinary programs.
Her diverse experience also includes a role as Private Chef at the presidential mansion of Iowa State University, as well as serving as the opening Executive Chef at Hageman Reserve, an exclusive hunting and fishing resort in Texas.
Norma’s culinary journey has also taken her to several renowned establishments in California, including St. Clair Brown Winery in Napa, Bardessono in Yountville, and even onboard as a yacht chef during the America’s Cup in San Francisco.
With a passion for excellence and a commitment to innovation, Norma continues to elevate the culinary and beverage experience at the InterContinental San Francisco.
Guest Chefs
Kristin Beringson
Executive chef, Kimpton Aertson Hotel
Executive Chef Kristin Beringson began her culinary journey in 2009 when she made the bold decision to leave behind her career in retail management and hasn’t looked back. After graduating from The Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, Chef Beringson transformed the East Nashville speakeasy-style restaurant, Holland House, into an acclaimed dining destination.
She went on to sharpen her knives and skillset at Germantown’s upscale bistro, SILO, the Japanese fusion-style concept, The Green Pheasant, and Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill. Chef Beringson has also flexed her culinary skills on Food Network’s “Chopped” and brought home the winning title of Chopped Champion. She also can be seen on “The Zimmern List” discussing the booming Nashville food scene, as well as her attempt to “Beat Bobby Flay”. At Henley’s helm, Chef Beringson weaves her appreciation for classic French technique and her fondness for fresh Mediterranean flavors into the Southern soul of our modern American brasserie.
When she’s not in the kitchen, you can catch her and hanging with her two sons, Oliver and Harvey, or tending to her garden.
Massimo De Francesca
Area Executive Chef, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa / Seafire Residences
Chef Massimo De Francesca is a Toronto-born culinary leader with over 25 years of international experience across Michelin-starred restaurants, Forbes-rated hotels, and AAA Five-Diamond resorts. Known for expert team leadership and a meticulous eye for detail, Chef Massimo has led culinary programming in major U.S. markets including Washington, D.C., New York City, and Arizona.
Currently the Area Executive Chef at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa / Seafire Residences and, Hotel Indigo, Grand Cayman, Massimo oversees culinary operations at 2 of the Caribbean’s top luxury properties — recognized by Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, CNN Traveler, and Travel + Leisure. Signature restaurant accolades include CNN’s “Best New Restaurants” and Travel + Leisure’s, “IT List.”
Massimo has been a featured guest on national TV and radio and has been profiled in USA Today, The New York Post, Huffington Post, and more.
Chef De Francesca, has participated in prestigious culinary events such as the James Beard House, New York Food & Wine Festival, and Cayman Cookout.
Gyo Santa
Executive Chef, Willard InterContinental
Chef Gyo Santa is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Paris and worked multiple Michelin starred Restaurant in Paris such as Maison Lasserre, La Table de Joël Robuchon, and Les Tablettes de Jean-Louis Nomicos.
After coming back to US, He joined The St. Regis Washington, D.C as Executive Sous Chef at Alain Ducasse Restaurant. After he served as Executive Chef at the Sofitel Washington, D.C. before joining Willard InterContinental where he works as Executive Chef today.
