James Beard Foundation Hosts First-Ever Vegan Dinner (VIDEO)

In March, The James Beard House, an historic culinary center that was once the home of James Beard, hosted its first-ever dinner catered by vegan chefs. James Beard, a legendary cookbook author, teacher and chef mentor, elevated American cuisine starting in the 1940s. In the culinary world, no recognition is more prestigious than the award that bears his name.

Veganizer, a NY-based company that “veganizes” restaurants in an effort to expand the reach of plant-based foods, produced the James Beard dinner, bringing in four renowned vegan chefs – Adam Sobel, Chloe Coscarelli, Daphne Cheng and Jay Astafa. According to Veganizer’s founder Kiki Adami, the unprecedented event sold out in 48 hours and had a waitlist of over 70 people.

Veganizer’s Kiki Adami takes a selfie with vegan chefs Adam Sobel, Jay Astafa, Chloe Coscarelli and Daphne Cheng

Susan Ungaro, the President of The James Beard Foundation, told TheirTurn, “At the Beard House dinners, we want to reflect what’s hot and happening all over the United States, and tonight’s dinner is emblematic of the movement and change that happening in the way American’s eat.”