James Beard Foundation's 4th Annual Taste America Tour To Feature Dan Barber, John Besh, And Stephanie Izard

The James Beard Foundation has announced its fourth annual Taste America tour, beginning this fall on September 23 and running through November 5.

Over six weekends, the 2016 Taste America All-Stars — prominent chefs who represent the Foundation and its efforts to celebrate the diversity of American cuisine — will travel to 10 cities, where they will host a benefit dinner in collaboration with a notable local chef. Other events will include cooking demonstrations, tastings, and book signings at local locations of Sur La Table.

This year, the All-Star chefs include Dan Barber (Blue Hill at Stone Barns), Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat), Anita Lo (Annisa), Gavin Kaysen (Spoon and Stable), John Besh (August), Alex Guarnaschelli (Butter), and others. This year, Taste America will visit Los Angeles, Phoenix, Kansas City, New Orleans, Chicago, Portland, Oregon; the Twin Cities, Boston, Charleston, and San Francisco. Collaborating local chefs will be announced in the weeks to follow.

In each city, Taste America events will kick off with A Night of Culinary Stars, a culinary event including a tasting reception and four-course dinner, benefitting the James Beard Foundation. A portion of the tour's proceeds will go toward the Taste America Scholarship fund, which will give culinary students in the 10 participating states the opportunity to receive a culinary scholarship.