NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In what promises to be among the year's most memorable dining experiences and gatherings of culinary luminaries, The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) will hold its inaugural Founders' Dinner at New York's historic Yale Club on January 11, 2018. The event will serve as a celebration of the formation of the JPF and raise funds to support the organization's mission.

"The founders' dinner is a must-attend for anyone who loves fine food, and believes as we do that culinary training is a path to confidence, self-efficacy and employment," said Rollie Wesen, Chief Operating Officer of the foundation. "The funds raised will help us share Jacques' wealth of knowledge and his commitment to training economically disadvantaged adults interested in pursuing culinary and hospitality industry careers."

"Jacques has been paying it forward his entire life through his compassion, mentorship and kindness to those interested in pursuing culinary excellence," notes Andrew Zimmern, who will serve as keynote speaker at the event.  "This is an opportunity for anyone inspired by Jacques and his dedication to technique to help continue this legacy."

Limited to just 220 guests, the four-course benefit dinner and VIP cocktail reception will feature, along with Zimmern, world class chefs Abram Bissell, Marcus Samuelsson, Corey Chow, Hillary Sterling, and Jared Sippel. Each dish will be paired with extraordinary wines from Broadbent Selections, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Buty Winery, Rombauer Vineyards and Champagne Collet.  A dessert reception will follow with Jacques Torres, Sherry Yard, Murray's Cheese, and a tasting from The Macallan portfolio. 

Tickets for an hour-long VIP reception hosted by Oceania Cruise Lines will offer exquisite hors d'oeuvres by Abram Bissell and specialty cocktails created by Steve Olson, and mingling with Jacques Pépin, his family, celebrity chefs and friends, including Tom Colicchio, Carla Hall, Dana Cowin, Adrian Grenier, Michael Symon, Michel Nischan, Roland Passot, Andre Soltner, Susan Feniger, Ming Tsai and other notables.

Live auction packages for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities will include:

• Dining with Jacques Pépin at Restaurant Daniel (recipient of 2 Michelin Stars)
• Original oil painting by Jacques Pépin
• An insider's tour of Napa Valley curated by Susie Heller (longtime producer of Pépin's PBS cooking shows) including dinner at The French Laundry, a tour of the acclaimed vineyard Opus One, and more
• A New York culinary experience including dinners at Blue Hill and The Modern, plus tickets to the Rachel Ray show and a private tour of the new Jacques Torres Chocolate Museum from world renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres
• Dinner with Jacques Pépin and Adrian Grenier at Adrian's residence in Brooklyn, prepared by culinary legend Michel Nischan
• A ten-day cruise on Oceania Cruise Lines, featuring "the finest cuisine at sea"

For tickets and additional information, please visit https://www.jpfbenefit.org/.

About The Jacques Pépin Foundation:
Founded in 2016, The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) was created to honor Jacques' generosity and passion for sharing his knowledge with others. Its mission is to provide training and support services to disadvantaged individuals who wish to achieve success through employment in the hospitality industry.  By teaching knife skills, culinary techniques and food safety practices, and instilling such principles as discipline, teamwork and personal confidence, the foundation works with existing community kitchens to train aspiring hospitality professionals to help them reclaim control of their lives.  The JPF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. To support the JPF or learn more visit https://jp.foundation/ or https://www.facebook.com/jacquespepinfoundation/

SOURCE The Jacques Pepin Foundation