RCA's Partnership with the James Beard Foundation

Save the Date: 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

Call for Chefs

RCA is proud to partner again with the James Beard Foundation to host an elegant, forward-thinking fundraising dinner October 22-23, 2026, in New York City. We’re looking for some of our most talented members to represent RCA at this premier event.

Click the link below to download the application and submit it by February 28. Selected chefs will collaborate on an elevated dining experience for 160 guests, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a multi-course plated dinner. Final selections will be announced at the RCA Conference Awards Luncheon on March 12 in Westminster, Colorado.

Call for Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities are available at levels ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. Your company’s support would help bring both evenings of this 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.

Please review the Sponsorship Opportunities letter for full details or contact the culinary event team leaders listed below to discuss the best fit.

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!

View 2025 Photos