The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF)’s first-ever nationwide fundraising campaign, honoring Jacques Pépin’s prolific 75-year career as an esteemed culinary educator and legendary chef, is heading to Orlando.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, Chef Norman Van Aken will host an exclusive five-course dining experience at his acclaimed restaurant, NORMAN’S in Orlando.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres from guest chefs Mario Pagán (Chayote), Clay Miller (The Ravenous Pig), Wendy Lopez (Reyes) and Ryan Ratino (OMO by Jont) followed by a celebratory five-course fine-dining menu with wine pairings. Guest chefs Ryne Wood from BACAN, Andres Mendoza (Citricos), Camilo Velasco (Tiffins), Stefan Riemer (Walt Disney World) join Chef Van Aken to present this special dinner. This celebration is part of a nationwide series leading up to Jacques Pépin’s 90th birthday in December 2025.
The campaign, which preserves, protects, and promotes Jacques’ legacy, directly supports the JPF’s educational initiatives including free instructional videos on the website, YouTube and social media channels, and the established Community Kitchens Support program, empowering people facing barriers to employment through culinary training. Funds raised will be used to enhance the Community Kitchen grants, all educational programs, and to build the new JPF Learning Curriculum available on a dedicated educational website for Community Kitchens nationwide.
Recently, The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) announced Pathlight HOME as one of their Winter 2025 Grant Awardees, awarded this month. One of 16 recipients this round, Pathlight HOME is one of Central Florida’s first and largest providers of permanent supportive housing. In addition to the $10,000 grant, Pathlight HOME will receive JPF-branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the Foundation.
“The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training, and giving grants to these important, impressive, local organizations,” says Rollie Wesen, Executive Director of the JPF. “Pathlight HOME’s Culinary Training Program focuses on serving low-income and formerly homeless individuals, providing them with valuable cooking skills as well as on-the-job experience at their Sobik’s Cafe. The program seeks to partner with employers who offer fair wages and benefits, and adhere to EEO and non-discriminatory practices. Following graduation, they offer ongoing support to all of their alumni. We’re proud to support this impactful program and provide tools they need to continue creating meaningful opportunities for their participants.”
Chef Norman Van Aken of Norman’s spoke with us regarding the upcoming fundraising event via email. Read on!
What inspired the menu for this special 90th birthday celebration of Jacques Pépin? Can you share some details about the dishes that will be featured in the 5-course dinner menu?
Chef Norman Van Aken: The Jacques Pépin Foundation is one I have belonged to for a number of years. They were in the very early planning stages of ’90 at 90’ when they caught a video I did in appreciation for his seminal culinary book, ”La Technique”. I have a “Treasure Books” series online and it starred in it. They contacted me about the campaign and thus the seed was planted! Each of the Chefs I chose, (superstars of Orlando all) were asked to do a dish that they felt showed the teachings of the great Chef. And the menu surely reflects his genius!
What does Jacques Pépin mean to you personally and professionally?
Chef Pépin was one of the true mentors to many of us coming up in the kitchens when “La Technique” and “La Methode” came out. The books were massively rich with more photography than any other of that era. For a person like me who didn’t go to cooking school they were a lifeline! I was basically a line cook struggling to learn the craft in the kitchens of Key West at that time. With his warmth, vast knowledge and precision my skill set accelerated. Soon I went from that line cook to positions that gave me more pride and financial enhancement.
Have you had any memorable interactions with Chef Pépin that you can share?
I have had the pleasure of serving him and his lovely family over the years. . His fantastic daughter Claudine and I became friends. She took the amazing photo of Chef holding a copy of my memoir that I sent to his home in Connecticut. I’ve also appeared in the video series of cooking hosted by the Jacques Pépin Foundation. Over my desk I have a hand-written note from him that warms my heart each time my eyes fall upon it.
What do you hope will be the most memorable moment of the evening for the attendees?
That remains to be seen! I imagine the guests will find different moments their favorite. I love that about life. It is like cuisine. We can all find the flavors in our own way that make us marvel, savor and remember through the years.
WHEN: Friday, February 28, 2025 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: NORMAN’S, 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL
RESERVATIONS: Dinner tickets are $240 per person with an optional $75 VIP Meet and Greet Cocktail Reception available for an additional $75. Guests can learn more and purchase tickets here.
With a legacy spanning generations, Jacques Pépin continues to inspire culinary enthusiasts worldwide. For more information about the campaign, including how to attend additional dinners, host an event, or participate in a virtual celebration, please visit the official campaign website: www.celebratejacques.org.
5-Course Wine-Paired GALA Dinner
$240* (20% gratuity included) + tax
Add-on our VIP Meet and Greet Cocktail Reception (only available with GALA Ticket Purchase)
$75 + tax
Highlights
–5-course fine-dining menu with wine pairing
–Seating for 90 guests
–Select group of Orlando chefs presenting various courses and hors d’oeuvres
–Pre-Dinner VIP Meet and Greet Cocktail reception available ($90 add-on only available with GALA Dinner Ticket Purchase)
GALA Menu with Chef Presentations
Ryne Wood, BACÁN
Foie Gras Tart
Mango Gelée, Whipped Crème Fraîche, Ancho ‘Fleur de Sel
Andres Mendoza, Citricos
Onion Crusted Flounder
Sweet Potatoes Confit, Fennel, Cucumber, Shellfish Velouté
Camilo Velasco, Tiffins
‘Poulet Au Vin Jaune’
Pennsylvania Golden Chicken, Black Trumpet and Chanterelles Mushrooms Fricassée, Black Winter Truffle, Sauce Vin Jaune
NORMAN’S Team (Carlos Robles-Molina, Gloriann Rivera, Kyle Rhodes)
Anchovy & Mirepoix Marinated Pan Roasted Bison Mignon
Toasted Breadcrumbs, Syrah Jus and a Lobster-Potato Gratin with Caviar
Stefan Riemer, Disney-Pastry Culinary Director
Chef Jacques Chocolate Soufflé Cake
Champagne Pickled Berries, Tahitian Vanilla Chantilly
**Wine Pairings will be included with each cou
VIP Reception Chef Presentations
Mario Pagán, Chayote
Gloria’s Arroz con Pollo Croquette
Caper Escabeche, Chorizo Aïoli
Clay Miller, The Ravenous Pig
Mini Cheese Soufflés with Winter Truffles
Wendy Lopez, Reyes Mezcaleria
Pork Terrine with Pistachios
Winter Truffles, Cherries, Morels & Cornichons
Ryan Ratino, OMO by Jont
Scallop “Black Tie”, Kombu, Black Truffle, 10 Year Old Sake
Additional Details:
–Part of the proceeds will support the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which helps transform lives through culinary education, and our Jacques Pépin GALA proudly supports the 90/90 Celebrations in 2025.
About the Jacques Pépin Foundation:
Founded in 2016, the Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) was created to honor Jacques’ generosity and passion for sharing his culinary knowledge. The JPF’s work is focused on teaching and inspiring all people to cook. Among our programs, we provide hundreds of hours of free instructional videos, available to all, through social media channels, YouTube and our website to teach and enhance cooking skills, and still more to JPF members with access to recipes and videos from renowned and inspiring chefs through our JPF members’ Video Recipe Book Cook with Jacques Pépin & Friends. Our existing Community Kitchens Support program provides grants, cookbook libraries, and other resources nationwide for workforce development, designed for individuals who are under-resourced, enabling them to achieve success through employment in the hospitality industry. The Foundation works with existing Community Kitchens to build their curricula, train aspiring hospitality professionals, and foster a supportive community, hope, and opportunity for a brighter future. The JPF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. To support the JPF or learn more visit our website: https://jp.foundation and follow us on Instagram.
