The James Beard Foundation dinner in Seattle will feature James Beard Award winner Kwame Onwuachi. Onwuachi will share the spotlight, and the kitchen, with Seattle’s own, Chef Rachel Yang. Together they will craft the menu for the gala event, slated for October 4 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Rising Chef Star of the Year, Onwuachi has been reaping praise for his latest high-end restaurant Kith/Kin in Washington D.C. Likewise, Yang is best known in Seattle for her Korean-influenced Joule and Revel.  

James Beard festivities powered by other Seattle culinary stars

In addition to Yang, there will be plenty of Seattle culinary stars on hand for the James Beard Foundation dinner. Before the main event, guests will be treated to a reception featuring the hard-earned skills of local favorites.

Shiro Kashiba (Sushi Kashiba), Monica Dimas (Milkwood & Co.), Eric Donnelly (RockCreek), Tiffany Layco (Andaluca), and Mitch Mayers (Sawyer) will be providing light  bites. Those with a sweet tooth can satisfied it with offerings from Carrie Mashaney (Mamnoon), Artis Kalsons (4th Ave. Espresso Bar), and Kit and Jesse Schumann (Sea Wolf Bakers).

The James Beard weekend in Seattle kicks off on Oct. 3 with Raising the Bar, a cocktail party centered around sustainability in the food world. Guests will mingle with chefs and mixologists from top Seattle bars and restaurants.

Chris Elford (Navy Strength), Laara Garcia (Gold Bar), Niles Peacock (Niles Peacock Kitchen + Bar), and Amanda Reed (Heartwood Provisions) will create the cocktail magic. Seattle chefs Brian Clevenger (General Harvest Restaurants), Kimberly Cosway (Heartwood Provisions), Josh Delgado (LeCoin), and Nicole Matson (How To Cook a Wolf) will be dishing up the savory bites.

This is the fifth year that the James Beard Foundation has stopped by Seattle to celebrate the diversity of American cooking. Tickets are $75 for the Raising The Bar cocktail party and start at $295 for the Foundation dinner and auction. Visit Taste America for tickets and additional information about the James Beard Award.