Lavazza to Supply Espresso and Coffee for James Beard Foundation Annual Gala

(press release from Lavazza)

New York, NY (November 12, 2013) – Lavazza, Italy’s Favorite Coffee, is thrilled to once again support the James Beard Foundation (JBF) at its annual gala event. This year, Lavazza will contribute to the prestigious organization by serving espresso and integrating coffee into the gourmet menu at the “Women in Whites: The 2013 James Beard Foundation Gala”, to be held Friday, November 15 at The Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City.

Women in Whites logo by the James Beard Foundation.

The theme of this year’s black-tie gala, Women in Whites, honors the accomplishments of women in the culinary industry and invites guests to experience a tasting menu prepared by a line-up of outstanding female chefs. 

The evening will begin with a reception and silent auction where Coffee Caviar, a special recipe developed by the efforts of the Lavazza Training Center in Italy, and espressos made from the finest 100% Arabica coffees, will be prepared and offered to attending journalists. The evening’s seated dinner and live auction will conclude with desserts crafted by Chef Sherry Yard, JBF Award winner and pastry chef at Los Angeles’ Helms Bakery. Accompanied by Lavazza espresso, Chef Yard will serve Chocolate and Lavazza Gran Selezione Coffee Beignets, and Nocciola and Lavazza Perfetto Cookie Pops, to the evening’s guests who include Honorary Event Chairs Tyra Banks, Gail Simmons, and Martha Stewart.

“Lavazza’s sponsorship and support of the Foundation is important to us and we are very excited to integrate the beloved Italian coffee into the menu on this extraordinary evening,” said Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation.

Other outstanding female chefs contributing to the gala’s menu include Dominique Crenn, Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, CA; JBF Award Winner Melissa Kelly, Primo in Rockland, ME; Kristen Kish, Menton in Boston, MA; JBF Award Winner Barbara Lynch, No. 9 Park in Boston, MA; JBF Award Winner Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards Winery in Sebastopol, CA; and Mixologist and Owner Audrey Saunders, Pegu Club in New York City.

“We are honored to celebrate some of the country’s most successful and talented female chefs and hope all guests enjoy the innovative recipes and dishes created using Lavazza,” remarked Ennio Ranaboldo, CEO of Lavazza North America.

For more information about Lavazza, please visit www.Lavazza.us. For more information about the James Beard Foundation Women in Whites Gala, please visit www.JBFGala.org.