Carla Hall To Be Honored During James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne

“When I set out for culinary school after years of running a small catering business, it was with the hopes of learning everything I could about cooking and the culinary arts,” noted Chefs & Champagne honoree Carla Hall. “In the end, I learned, as we all do, that education and discovery in the kitchen never stops.”

On Saturday, July 25th from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the James Beard Foundation (JBF) will pay tribute to Daytime Emmy award-winning chef and cookbook author Carla Hall during Chefs & Champagne, JBF’s annual summer Hamptons fundraiser. Taking place at Wölffer Estate Vineyard, the decadent tasting soiree will showcase flowing Champagne Taittinger, the wines of Wölffer Estate Vineyard and culinary bites from a curated group of over 40 chefs.

“To be honored by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, which does so much to encourage the study of the culinary arts and the discovery of all that is magical about them is an amazing experience because it both affirms past choices and inspires future decisions,” expressed Hall.

The “Top Chef” alum can currently be seen on ABC’s award-winning lifestyle series “The Chew.” Hall co-hosts the show with James Beard Award-winning chefs and “Iron Chef America” stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz. Her philosophy is to cook with love and Hall’s approach to cooking mixes her classic French training with her Southern upbringing for a tasty twist on traditional favorites. Hall’s unique flavor profiles will be showcased at her soon-to-open fast-casual New York City restaurant, Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen. She is also the owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies, an artisan cookie company that features sweet and savory “petite bites of love,” and the author of “Carla’s Comfort Food: Favorite Dishes from Around the World” and “Cooking with Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You.”

Chefs & Champagne will showcase culinary bites from a curated group of over 40 chefs. (Photo: Mark Von Holden)

Proceeds from Chefs & Champagne support the Foundation’s wide variety of initiatives, including culinary student scholarships and the organization’s annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition.

VIP premium admission is $375. General admission is $200 for JBF members and $275 for non-members. General admission includes all tastings, silent auction bidding opportunities, and a gift bag. The VIP experience, from 5 to 10 p.m., includes an exclusive reception with early access to all tastings, an advanced silent auction preview, reserved table seating, access to a VIP after-party from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and a gift bag.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard is located at 183 Sagg Road in Sagaponack. For more information, visit www.jamesbeard.org.