Michigan Dinner of the Decade James Beard Foundation

This fantastic evening brought together Michigan’s top James Beard Foundation Honored Chefs, Sommeliers, Vintners, Distillers, Brewers, Farmers, Fishers, and Foragers to celebrate the unparalleled bounty of our state. This gathering united extraordinary talent at the table to collaborate in presenting this special event showcasing their exceptional crafts with expert hospitality.

The essence of the Best of Michigan’s Food and Beverages event was to showcase and raise awareness of the magnificent treasures found in our state, sourced from its lush fields, forests, rivers, and lakes. This fusion of food and wine offers a fresh perspective on the abundant harvest and unique terroir of Michigan, reflecting in the flavors that you can savor! Terroir is key in viniculture, extending to the grains and hops used in distilling and brewing, the trees bearing their remarkable fruits, and encompassing all the foods we enjoy. Michigan boasts a uniquely rich terroir with fertile fields and dense forests that filter rainwater to nourish rivers and lakes, nurturing a diverse ecosystem that provides us with bountiful sustenance.

This evening will be showcased in the upcoming PBS documentary “Detroit: City of Chefs II,” directed by Keith Famie. Chef Brian Beland and Chef Jimmy Schmidt curated the event, hosted by the prestigious 125-year-old Country Club of Detroit. Proceeds from the event supported the James Beard Foundation and local culinary education through two $5000 scholarships awarded to Schoolcraft College and Oakland Community College.