RCA's Partnership with the James Beard Foundation

2026 RCA James Beard House Event

Indivisible: Celebrating the Diversity of America’s Culinary Fabric and the Waves of Immigrants Who Weave It
October 22-23, 2026
James Beard House, New York City

The Research Chefs Association is Celebrating Our Indivisible Culinary Fabric

Since its inception, the United States has been a nation of immigrants, and throughout its more than 250 years of existence, waves of immigrants have contributed to the weaving of our cuisine. From the ingredients, names, formats, preparations, eating methods, service styles to the dishes themselves, immigrants have made our food what it is today and what it will become.

From Native Americans to the parade of settlers and newcomers from across the globe, each and every group has contributed to our collective cuisine. What, where, how, when, and why we eat are all driven by the many cuisines and people who have created our collective One. American cuisine is not simply a quilt of other cuisines sewn together. While there are still authentic dishes from around the world in their original form, there are also many more where ingredients, preparation methods, and forms are woven together to create entirely new dishes. It is this intermingling of cultures and flavors that truly makes America’s cuisine a great one.

For more than 30 years, the James Beard Foundation has been able to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. The Research Chefs Association is honored to return to the historic James Beard House this fall for another completely sold-out event!

RCA will host two consecutive evenings at the James Beard House in New York City on October 22 and 23, creating an elevated dining experience that benefits both RCA and the James Beard Foundation.

Meet the 2026 Culinary Team

RCA is proud to present the exceptional RCA-member chefs who will bring our 2026 James Beard House event to life.

Sponsorship Opportunities & Tickets

Sponsorship and ticket opportunities for the 2026 event are SOLD OUT. If you are interested in learning more about supporting the October 2027 event, please reach out to one of the contacts below for information.

Your company’s support would help bring both evenings of this annual celebration of food to life. Tiered sponsorship packages are available, along with product sponsorship options for food and beverage ingredients, chef shirts, aprons, coats for the culinary team, and a post-event brunch. Opportunities range from $1,000 to 6,000 and the return on your investment is significant.

Event Coordinator: Jerry McDonald ([email protected])
Culinary and Co-Event Coordinator: Gaetano Nardulli ([email protected])
Sponsorship and Co-Event Coordinator: Casey Schallert ([email protected])

Looking Back: 2025 RCA James Beard House Event "Julia, The Original Celebrity Chef"

The Research Chefs Association was proud to present the 2025 RCA James Beard House event, an innovative dining experience honoring Julia Child. The event was held October 23-24, 2025, in New York City at the historic James Beard House. This exclusive event celebrated the culinary talents of RCA members and served as a fundraiser to benefit both the RCA and the James Beard Foundation.

Julia Child was the original celebrity chef, an author, and a television personality. The culinary world, especially in the United States, would not be what it is without the countless contributions of Julia Child and James Beard, and RCA was proud to honor them. Thank you to the incredible 2025 Culinary Team, sponsors, and attendees!