SF Chefs, San Francisco’s food, wine and spirits festival is excited to announce the Dinner Party Project. The Dinner Party Project is a new series that includes several pop-up dinners showcasing groups of chef friends collaborating for one night to bring guests an exclusive dining experience. Based on the SF Chefs theme of camaraderie, the series is a preview of what to expect from this year’s festival.
Over a period of 6 weeks, San Francisco’s most talented chefs will team up to tell personal stories and present menus that offer a unique blend of cooking styles and insight into their culinary dreams. Each dinner will open with a handcrafted Campari aperitif, especially created by the chefs.
The San Francisco chef community is, and has always been, about collaboration. This Culinary camaraderie is what makes San Francisco’s dining scene extraordinary to the rest of the country. The Dinner Party Project will spotlight these relationships, and give guests a peek inside the lives of these true tastemakers. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://sfchefsfoodwine.com/.
A portion of the proceeds from each dinner will benefit the Center for Urban Education and Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA). As managers of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and supporters of Bay Area farm, CUESA serves as an invaluable link between chefs and farmers.
The Dinner Party Project series includes:
DINNER: UP CLOSE WITH THOMSAS, BRANDON & BELINDA
WHO: Thomas McNaughton (Flour + Water), Brandon Jew (Bar Agricole) and Belinda Leong
WHEN: Monday, June 11, 7:30PM
WHERE: Dough Room at Flour + Water
WHAT: Thomas McNaughton (Flour + Water) and Pastry Chef Belinda Leong met during their time at Gary Danko—and they later became roommates. Thomas and Chef Brandon Jew (Bar Agricole) got to know each other in the kitchen of Quince. When these three get together to prepare an intimate multicourse feast in the Dough Room at Flour + Water you’ll find out what happens when chefs live together, have late-night adventures and occasionally get into trouble. While cooking tableside the three friends will regale guests with tales of late-night meals and mischief in San Francisco and beyond. Ticket Price: $275 / $265 (Visa Signature). All prices inclusive of wine and gratuity.
DINNER: STARS REALIGNED
WHO: Jan Birnbaum (EPIC Roasthouse), Mark Franz, Parke Ulrich and Emily Luchetti (Waterbar) with Pat Kuleto and Special Guest Chef Jeremiah Tower
WHEN: Thursday, June 21, 6:00PM
WHERE: Waterbar and EPIC Roasthouse
WHAT: Join SF Chefs for a meal that’s been 30 years in the making. The teams behind EPIC Roasthouse and Waterbar restaurants are coming together with one of the founders of California cuisine, Jeremiah Tower, for a dinner dedicated to sharing the group’s collaborative culinary history and close bond. This epic evening will feature restaurateur Pat Kuleto and chefs Mark Franz, Jan Birnbaum, Emily Luchetti, Parke Ulrich and the now-retired Tower, back for one night only. Tower made a name for himself as the founder of the renowned restaurant Stars, where he worked alongside Franz and Luchetti. This group of culinary talents, including Birnbaum and Ulrich, not only share professional ties but are close friends. This dinner will celebrate their remarkable careers as well as Tower’s and Stars’ seminal roles in California culinary history. The event will begin with hors d’oeuvres, Champagne and a Campari aperitif at Waterbar and will move to EPIC Roasthouse, where guests will enjoy a six-course meal in the intimate setting of EPIC’s private dining space. Narsai David, food and wine editor of KCBS radio and famed restaurateur Cecilia Chang (Mandarin) will be on hand to coax stories, both hilarious and touching, from this group of friends. Join them as they share an evening of memories, friendship and, of course, great food and wine. $350 / $340 (Visa Signature). Table of 10: $4,000 / $3990 (Visa Signature). All prices inclusive of wine and gratuity.
DINNER: TWO CHEFS, ONE BEAST
WHO: Mark Dommen (One Market), Staffan Terje (Perbacco Ristorante + Bar and barbacco eno trattoria)
WHEN: Thursday, June 28, 6:00PM
WHERE: One Market
WHAT: Mark Dommen and Staffan Terje aren’t just friends, they’re neighbors—their restaurants are a few blocks from each other in San Francisco’s Financial district. Their friendship was forged through farmers—they share a local and seasonal philosophy and often source produce and whole animals from the same vendors. In fact, the two have been known to harbor a friendly rivalry over who takes back the best product to their kitchens. For their dinner at One Market, Mark and Staffan will be making a special trip to one of their favorite farms, Rossotti Ranch, to source the whole goat they’ll be using. Each chef will prepare their interpretation of various cuts from the animal—allowing diners to explore the versatility of both goat and these masterful chefs. Two chefs, one beast, infinite delicious possibilities. $125 / $115 (Visa Signature) All prices inclusive of wine and gratuity.
DINNER: MODERN AMERICAN PICNIC
WHO: Lori Baker and Jeff Banker (Baker & Banker), Nick Balla (Bar Tartine)
WHEN: Monday, July 9, 6:00PM and 8:00PM
WHERE: Baker & Banker
WHAT: Jeff Banker and Lori Baker became friends with Nick Balla during his days at O Izakaya, where they often came in for dinner and found inspiration in his cooking. When an opportunity to cook together revealed itself, the friends jumped at the chance to create something special in the kitchen together. The trio invites you to Baker & Banker for a feast of all-American picnic classics—sophisticated takes on family-style favorites like fried chicken, mac & cheese and other sides paired with local beers on tap. With this unique dinner you can enjoy what’s best about a summer picnic without the hassle of ants, bees or rain-outs. Ticket Price: $135 / $125 (Visa Signature). All prices inclusive of beer and gratuity.
DINNER: FAMILY NIGHT: GOING BASQUE
WHO: Jen Biesty (Scala’s), Alicia Jenish (Grand Cafe)
WHEN: Monday, July 16, 6:30PM
WHERE: Grand Cafe
WHAT: Chefs Jen Biesty and Alicia Jenish first became friends behind the burners of Loretta Keller’s Bizou, where they often cooked dishes from the Basque region. These days, the friends cook in restaurants just blocks from one another other and often meet for late-night drinks and eats at neighborhood spots like The Burritt Room, Cantina, Ryoko’s and Sanraku. For their Dinner Party Jen and Alicia are getting back in the kitchen together with a return to their early influences. Join these two talented chefs for a family-style Basque feast featuring their unique interpretations of dishes that meld the cuisines of France and Spain together. Ticket Price: $85 / $75 (Visa Signature). All prices inclusive of wine and gratuity.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://sfchefsfoodwine.com/ <http://sfchefsfoodwine.com/> . Don’t miss your chance to experience chef camaraderie in action at any of these exclusive and extra special dinners. At all SF Chefs events, Visa Signature cardholders receive ticket discounts and special perks.
The Dinner Party Project is in partnership with 7×7, Campari and KCBS.
About the Golden Gate Restaurant Association
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1936 to promote, extend and protect the interests of the broader restaurant industry, and to serve our members in the San Francisco Bay Area. Restaurants are a high-risk and generally low-profit-margin enterprise undertaken by people passionate about a wonderful cultural tradition: eating out. GGRA is a resource to help our members keep the doors open and tables set. For more information, visit www.GGRA.org and www.sfchefsfoodwine.com .
About Visa Signature
SF Chefs is presented by Visa Signature. Visa Signature offers cardholders a range of benefits that provide special access and can save time and money. In addition to points, miles, cash back or other premium rewards offered by Visa Signature partners, Visa Signature cardholders enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and entertainment events. For more information on Visa Signature and issuers offering Visa Signature visit www.visa.com/signature <http://www.visa.com/signature> .
