The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia today announced its latest event series, the Reel Taste Film Awards, which will gather chefs, filmmakers, and artists from around the country together in Napa. In partnership with the Napa Valley Film Festival, Copia will honor three films that illustrate the complex relationship between culture, art, and food, encouraging guests to explore this connection through attending filmmaker panel discussions, immersive dining experiences, and cooking and beverage classes. Additional funding for the CIA at Copia’s “Flavors of Film” series and “Reel Taste Awards,” is made possible through the City of Napa Tourist Improvement District (TID).
The series will kick off on Thursday, May 1, with a tribute to the creator of Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” series, David Gelb, who will be joined by special guest panelists and renowned chefs featured in “Chef’s Table: Legends,” the latest installment of the series, Thomas Keller, Alice Waters, and Jamie Oliver. Other highlights include tributes to the documentaries “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” directed by David Gelb, with the presentation of the Culinary Documentary Award. In addition, directors Oliver and Simon English will be presented with the Spirit of Copia Award for their documentary “Feeding Tomorrow.”
“We are proud to launch this annual event to bring attention to the very best in culinary storytelling and welcome these amazing films and filmmakers into our freshman class,” said Thomas Bensel, managing director for the CIA’s California campuses.
The schedule for the three-day event can be found below, with additional details, including special guests, and more available soon. All events will take place at CIA at Copia (500 1st St., Napa, CA 94559). Ticket prices range from $75 – $350. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Reel Taste Film Awards Schedule for 2025
Thursday, May 1
A Tribute to Netflix’s “Chef’s Table: Legends”: Featured Chefs and Series Creator Q&A, Award presentation to David Gelb, Tribute Dinner to “Chef’s Table: Legends”
- 6:00 p.m.: Clips and conversation featuring series highlights and Q&A from the latest series edition “Chef’s Table: Legends.” The footage and discussion will pay tribute to the culinary legends who have shaped the modern world of food as we know it. This season, which coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the “Chef’s Table” franchise, features a lineup of legendary chefs whose influence has transcended borders (and mediums) and inspired generations of cooks and food lovers alike.
- Special Guests: Joined by series creator and executive producer David Gelb, highly acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs Thomas Keller, Alice Waters, and Jamie Oliver will participate in a panel on their personal journey as presented in the episode.
- David Gelb presented with the Culinary Storytelling Award.
- Trailer | Key Art | Available Images
- 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Tribute Dinner for “Chef’s Table: Legends”
- Each of the attending legendary chefs will curate an iconic dish for a special dinner at the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum. Full menu to be announced.
Additional Activities:
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Beverage class “Napa Valley Wine Legends” with CIA Beverage expert Traci Dutton.
- Zwilling knife demos throughout the day
Friday, May 2
Sushi & Cinema: ”Jiro Dreams of Sushi” Screening, Q&A, and Tribute Dinner
- 6:00 p.m.: Film Screening “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”
- Synopsis: This award-winning documentary follows Jiro Ono, who turns 100 years old this year, when he was the 85-year-old sushi master and owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro – a Michelin three-star, 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant located in a Tokyo subway station. The film also profiles Jiro’s sons, as the elder son prepares to take over his father’s restaurant and navigates the challenges of living up to his father’s reputation and legacy.
- Q&A with Director David Gelb, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” presented with the Culinary Documentary Award.
- Trailer: HERE
- 7:30 p.m.: Tribute Dinner to “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”
- There will be two interactive dining experiences directly inspired by the film’s location and cuisine. General admission ticket holders will indulge in sushi and izakaya stations along with sips from sake and whiskey masters in The Atrium. The VIP omakase experience, hosted in the Hestan Teaching Kitchen, will include 3, 10-seat stations where each group will have their own guest chef and sake sommelier. Guests will be treated to a personalized meal interacting with the chefs to create an intimate omakase experience.
- The participating guest chefs are all CIA alumni. Chef Keita Tominaga (’14) spent time in Japan, and was cooking at Tenoshima when the restaurant earned its first Michelin star. Now, Chef Tomonaga is the executive chef at Hana and Pabu. Peggy Tan (‘14), Chef de Cuisine at The Wild has a passion for the seasonality of ingredients and farm-to-table philosophy. Chef Marc Zimmerman (’04), chef/owner of MZ Dining Group (Yokai, The Wild), can be described as having a relaxed precision and relentless pursuit of deliciousness.
Additional Activities
- 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Hands-on cooking class in the Hestan Teaching Kitchen “Inside Julia’s Kitchen: Celebrating French Cuisine.” Inspired by Julia Child’s legendary TV show, “The French Chef.”
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Beverage class “Dreaming of Japanese Whiskey” with CIA Beverage expert Traci Dutton.
- Zwilling knife demos throughout the day
Saturday, May 3
“Feeding Tomorrow:” Exploring the Future of Food with Oliver and Simon English
- 6:00 p.m. Film Screening: “Feeding Tomorrow,” directed by Oliver and Simon English
- Synopsis: The film depicts various farmers, nutritionists and educators as they work to transform a broken food system. Fighting challenges such as ecosystem destruction, climate change, inequality and health epidemics, these innovators build a regenerative and resilient system in their local communities.
- Q&A with filmmakers Oliver English and Simon English presented with the Spirit of Copia Award
- Trailer: HERE
- 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tribute Dinner
- After the film screening, the directors’ father and sister, celebrated chefs Todd English (CIA Alum) and Belle English (culinary director at William Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco), will collaborate on a dinner that supports the vision and lessons from the film, a future of plant forward, regenerative, and local ingredient based cuisine.
- Dinner to take place at the Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum.
Additional Activities:
- 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Hands-on cooking class in the Hestan Teaching Kitchen “Inside Julia’s Kitchen: Celebrating French Cuisine.” Inspired by Julia Child’s legendary TV show, “The French Chef.”
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Beverage class “The Ecology of Wine” with Traci Dutton
- Zwilling knife demos throughout the day
For more information, visit CIAatCopia.com and follow along @CIAatCopia for additional updates.
ABOUT THE CIA AT COPIA
Hailed a “foodie wonderland” by The New York Times, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia is an epicurean destination in Napa, where guests can immerse themselves in the past, present, and future of food. Located in the Oxbow District, The CIA at Copia offers an array of enticing culinary experiences delivered by CIA chefs and experts, including hands-on cooking and beverage classes; lively public events and art exhibits; The Grove, a signature garden-to-table restaurant; Wine Bar, a self-service tasting experience; a culinary and lifestyle-themed marketplace; and The Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum. The CIA at Copia is also a unique setting for weddings and private events. All proceeds from The CIA at Copia benefit CIA student scholarships. For more information visit CIAatCopia.com
ABOUT THE NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
The Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) is an annual celebration that blends the art of film, food, and wine together. Discover the best new independent films of the year, savor exquisite cuisine paired with legendary wines, and create lasting memories found only in the Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Film Festival is presented by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. Cinema Napa Valley’s mission is to celebrate the cinematic arts and enrich the community by presenting an annual world-class festival and year-round education and outreach programs. Visit napavalleyfilmfest.org for more information on passes and festival events.
