DAYLIGHT: 4th Annual StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress A Kitchen Without Boundaries
September 20-22, 2009
New York City
StarChefs.com announces that the 2009 International Chefs Congress (ICC) took place between September 20th - 22nd at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City! Peachy Deegan did not miss the most exciting professional culinary event in the US. ICC is a three-day culinary symposium where more than 60 of the world's most influential and innovative chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers present the latest techniques and culinary concepts to their peers. It was exciting, innovative and filled with Movers and Shakers we didn't know before!
Peachy attended chef demonstrations, hands-on savory, pastry and mixology workshops, wine and business seminars, career counseling sessions, and expert panels on current industry topics. She sourced cutting-edge culinary products and equipment from around the world at the Chef Products Fair.
The overarching theme of this year's Congress was What is American Cuisine? Their purpose was to explore how chefs and industry-leaders from around the country—and across the globe—define American cuisine. The regional nuances of well-defined and established cuisines, such as Italian, French, Spanish, or Chinese, are recognized by chefs, and subjects of study and exploration. But the definition of American cuisine—outside of hotdogs and hamburgers—and the regional differences within the United States is not commonly understood, inside nor outside of the US. The subject seems more prescient than ever given the increasing presence of a growing number of American chefs who are keyed into the international culinary circuit and actively participating in the international culinary dialogue.
This year's programming at ICC was as diverse and multi-national as ever, but the American presenters shared a common goal: to present their particular version of American cuisine. In doing so, their hope is to move closer to a common understanding of our country's dynamic culinary character.
Admission to 2009 ICC was limited to chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, food & beverage managers, and restaurant owners, and other foodservice professionals, including food and equipment manufacturers, consultants, purveyors, publicists, architects, manufacturer representatives, and dealers.
A portion of the proceeds from the 2009 International Chefs Congress will benefit the Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Restaurateurs established in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation. For more information, go to www.chefsforscher.com.