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JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION® AND VISIT SAN ANTONIO CO-HOST TASTE

AMERICA CULINARY SERIES IN SAN ANTONIO, PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE

 

The Taste America event in San Antonio will be a celebration of culinary excellence, featuring outstanding
food and drink from TasteTwenty chef Geronimo Lopez
of Hotel Emma
in collaboration with James Beard Award Semifinalist® Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack.

Chef Geronimo Lopez is part of the 2024-2025 TasteTwenty class—an annual selection of
James Beard Foundation “ones to watch”, recognized for exceptional culinary talent and
leadership in the industry

 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (January 24, 2025) - The James Beard Foundation®, the organization behind the James Beard Awards®, the most prestigious culinary recognition in the country, announces that its Taste America culinary series returns to San Antonio, cohosted by Visit San Antonio, with a special pop-up dinner on March 6, 2025 at 7PM at Hotel Emma. Presented by Capital One, the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® series celebrates culinary excellence and the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities, bringing together chefs and food lovers for unique dining experiences across 20 U.S. cities. The San Antonio pop-up dinner will feature chef Geronimo Lopez from Hotel Emma, recognized as one of the industry’s finest culinary talents and changemakers as part of the Foundation’s annual class of TasteTwenty chefs—who will present an exceptional menu and champion the James Beard Foundation’s mission of Good Food for Good® at this special event. Tickets for the Taste America San Antonio dinner are on sale now at jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.

 

"Visit San Antonio is proud to co-host Taste America alongside the James Beard Foundation in our vibrant city," said Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio. "San Antonio is home to an exceptional culinary community, and events like Taste America provide a remarkable platform to spotlight our chefs and restaurants, and we are thrilled to welcome the James Beard Foundation back to San Antonio for this impactful event."

 

Hosted at Hotel Emma at Pearl, the San Antonio dinner co-hosted by Visit San Antonio is an unparalleled opportunity for guests to experience the outstanding and delicious work of James Beard Foundation-curated talent in a rare and intimate setting. Guests will enjoy a delectable one-of-a-kind multi-course menu, in addition to wine pairings and cocktails, created by TasteTwenty host Chef Geronimo Lopez and the Hotel Emma team, in collaboration with Chef Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack.

 

Menu Includes: 

  • First Course

Cebiche with seasonal seafood, passion fruit and turmeric "leche de tigre" granita, and thinly sliced kampachi tempura with sweet potato emulsion, corn, and pickled onion. Contains nuts, shellfish, and soy. Gluten-free.

  • Second Course

Silky black bean cream soup with burrata and truffle, corn tropezones, and aji 7 pickled heart of palm. Vegetarian. Contains dairy. Gluten-free.

  • Third Course / Entrée

Braised Oxtail: Tender, slow-cooked oxtail with rich brown gravy, puffed rice, scallion, and pickled peppers. Gluten-free.

  • Alternate Entrée

Jackfruit ropa vieja with puffed rice and pickled peppers. Vegan.

  • Fourth Course

Warm chocolate cake with coconut gelée, caramelized pineapple-rum chutney, and "coquito" ice cream. Contains dairy, nuts, wheat. Vegetarian.

 

In addition, the event will feature activations from national sponsors Capital One and local partners Hotel Emma, Visit San Antonio, Pedernales Cellars, San Antonio Magazine, Texas Restaurant Association, and William Grant & Sons.  

 

 

"We are thrilled to host Taste America in San Antonio and celebrate the city’s distinct and vibrant local food culture through the work of our phenomenal TasteTwenty chef Geronimo Lopez from Hotel Emma," said Siobhan Flaherty Haber, Vice President of Events at the James Beard Foundation. "We're excited to spotlight Geronimo’s work in driving the industry forward through his dedication to excellence and commitment to community. Geronimo’s inclusion in the 2024-2025 TasteTwenty class of chefs is well-deserved, and we are excited to share his vision and talent with guests of this special event.

 

Taste America events highlight the richness and diversity of America’s local food culture, while spotlighting chefs who are uniquely leading the industry forward. Menus at all events promise a delectable evening benefiting the Foundation's industry-focused mission and programs. Over the course of the series, Taste America will highlight over 100 leading chefs and offer participants a window into the tastes and traditions shaping American food today. Attending the Taste America San Antonio event is a special opportunity to become part of the Foundation’s vibrant and growing national culinary community, comprising food lovers and industry professionals alike. 

 

Proceeds from Taste America events benefit the James Beard Foundation’s national impact programming in support of equity, sustainability, women’s leadership, and a future where all can thrive for the culinary industry and beyond. 

 

Tickets for the Taste America San Antonio event are now on sale. For more information visit, jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.   

As the official bank and credit card partner of the James Beard Foundation, eligible Capital One rewards cardholders will have access to tickets set aside just for them on Capital One Entertainment, which include special on-site perks, while supplies last.  

 

The James Beard Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is 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. For information on the Foundation’s programs and initiatives, please visit jamesbeard.org.  

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® is presented by Capital One, the official credit card and banking partner of the James Beard Foundation. Through this first-of-its-kind partnership, eligible Capital One cardholders can enjoy exclusive access to James Beard Foundation programming. Taste America is also supported by Premier Sponsors: American Airlines, the official airline of the James Beard Foundation, Deloitte; Supporting Sponsor:  Wine Access; Patron Sponsors: Choose Chicago, Illinois Restaurant Association, Maldon Sea Salt, McCormick for Chefs; with Additional Support from: Mountain Valley Spring Water, VerTerra Dinnerware, Windstar Cruises, the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation; and Founding Partner: Bowen & Co. Events.

 

ABOUT THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION 

The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive. Established over 30 years ago, the Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives and is committed to supporting a resilient and flourishing industry that honors its diverse communities. By amplifying new voices, celebrating those leading the way, and supporting those on the path to do so, the Foundation is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future—what we call Good Food for Good®. JBF brings its mission to life through the annual Awards, industry and community-focused programs, advocacy, partnerships, and events across the country. For the first time in the Foundation’s history, exceptional culinary talent, industry leaders, and visitors from NYC and beyond can experience unforgettable dining and educational programming at Platform by JBF—inspiring food and beverage devotees for decades to come. Learn more at jamesbeard.org, sign up for our newsletter, and follow @beardfoundation on social media. 

 

ABOUT CAPITAL ONE   

At Capital One, we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses, and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music, sports and the arts. Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.  

 

Contact:

MMGY Wagstaff

jbf@wagstaffmktg.com