Imbibe and Inspire Announces Chefs for The Roots of American Food Conference & Dinners: September 7 & 8

IMBIBE AND INSPIRE ANNOUNCES CHEFS FOR THE ROOTS OF AMERICAN FOOD CONFERENCE & DINNERS: SEPTEMBER 7 & 8
The thought leaders of the culinary elite gather to share their inspirations through talks and food at Chicago Wyndham Grand Hotel & L2O

CHICAGO, IL (July 15, 2014) – Founded by Imbibe & Inspire’s Stephen Torres, the second annual Roots of American Food conference will explore the history and future of the American Food movement on Sunday, September 7 and Monday, September 8 at Chicago’s Wyndham Grand Hotel (71 E Upper Wacker Dr., Chicago). Featuring two-days of thought-provoking discussions and two exclusive dinners, Torres cultivated a line-up of the country’s top food innovators to speak about their passions and influences while also showcasing the food defining our American culinary scene today.

“Sometimes, it requires taking a step back to move forward,” says Torres. “The ‘roots’ of American cooking are different from one chef to a next. Whether influenced by region, travels, or kitchen experiences, the perspectives of these innovative chefs from around the country and experts in photography to journalism continue to define our cuisine.”

Honoring chef Jeremiah Tower with a Q&A about his fearless journey to push the American dining scene forward, the two-day conference will also feature talks on the innovation of American dining, the importance of local ingredients, from-the-kitchen perspectives on new techniques to service standards, and more. Guests from aspiring chefs to the public with a passion for food will hear from chefs and speakers such as: Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski of State Bird Provisions (San Francisco), Jamie Malone of Sea Change (Minneapolis), Gerard Craft of Niche (St. Louis), Bryce Shuman of Betony (New York City), Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality (Chicago), Francis Lam from Clarkson Potter/Top Chef and more. For the current line-up, visit here.

Following the conference will be two exclusive multi-course dinners. While the full line-up of both dinners is yet to be disclosed, Monday, September 8 dinner will be held at Chicago’s two Michelin-starred L2O (2300 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL). Executive chef Matthew Kirkley will host a number of famed chefs changing the plate of fine dining such as Dominique Crenn from Atelier Crenn (San Francisco), Kyle Connaughton (Sonoma), Erik Anderson (Minneapolis), and more. A portion of proceeds from the $300 dinner will be donated to help support the staff at Manresa and aid in the rebuild efforts for the acclaimed restaurant after a recent fire.

Torres explains the reasoning behind Chicago for the conference’s locale. “Chicago is a special place for me, as I grew up around here, but it represents what The Roots of American Food conference is all about–meeting in the middle to listen, learn, and inspire the talent in our industry to keep pushing forward; to define and redefine American food.”

To purchase tickets for The Roots of American Food conference (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or dinners, visit www.roaf2014.us. The two-day conference is $250 and includes refreshments and snacks from sponsors such as Rare Tea Cellar, Goose Island Brewery, Do-Rite Donuts, Intelligentsia, and more. Lunch will also be provided each day by participating chefs. The dinner on Sunday, September 7 at 7 p.m. will be $250 per person and benefit a local Chicago charity. To make a reservation for the L2O dinner for seatings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., please call the restaurant at 773.868.0002.

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