NORMAN’S Orlando restaurant founder and “Florida’s Culinary Icon”, Norman Van Aken, is collaborating with the James Beard Foundation to host a “Friends of James Beard Benefit” honoring Orlando James Beard recognized Chefs and Restaurateurs.
This “Toast to Orlando” will be presented by Chef Van Aken, a James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who” recipient and the first chef to be named to the James Beard Foundation’s Board of Directors.
NORMAN’S culinary team is led by Chef Carlos Robles-Molina who is joined in this celebration which features a group of honored Orlando chefs and restaurateurs, offering various hors d’oeuvres, wine selections, culinary and cocktail stations.
Chef Van Aken remarked “In 1988, I dedicated my first cookbook to Mr. Beard. His vision for the inclusiveness of all cultures spoke deeply to me. I am grateful to host this lasting appreciation of his work with the multigenerational chef and beverage artisans who devote their energies for this gathering year round.”
The event will be a jubilation of Orlando’s most acclaimed chefs including Lordfer Lalicon, James & Julie Petrakis, Kevin Fonzo, Brandon McGlamery, Rabii Saber, and Sue & Jason Chin, Stefan Riemer, Andres Mendoza, Camilo Velasco, and Derek Perez, as we honor their excellence and highlight our city’s place on the world culinary stage.
We will also have exquisite wine, cocktail, and mocktail pairings curated by NORMAN’S Sommelier,
Matthew Mercier, alongside celebrated wine professionals including Lee Pancake (Slate Wine Academy), Shaun Wright (Mõet & Hennessey), Connor Doran (Slate Wine Academy), and Eric Renaud (ACE Wine & Spirits). There will be multiple culinary and cocktail presentations throughout the restaurant and stunning Terrace, with live music, and a silent auction directly benefitting the work of the James Beard Foundation.
Complimentary Valet service along with ample free parking, are available at the 7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL restaurant location.
You can get more information about the James Beard Foundation below, with tickets available via
OpenTable.
From Chef Norman Van Aken: “On August 5th of 1986 we drove up to Miami from Key West. I was the Executive Chef/Partner of “Louie’s Backyard” , which was by many folks reckoning the most beautiful place to dine on the Island and arguably the best.
I was accompanied by my wife, Janet our pastry chef Sue Porter and my business partner/friend Proal Perry to do the very first “James Beard Dinner” in the state of Florida and among the very first in America. It was at a restaurant culinarily helmed by Chef Michael Chiarello. I prepared, ‘Conch Lasagna’ for a main course as well as ‘Grilled-Chilled Tuna with Oriental Vegetables and a Ginger Vinaigrette’ for my first. Sue made ‘Black Pepper, Apples and Calvados in Puff Pastry with Warm Chocolate Sauce’.
When we were invited a month or so before that night I knew of Mr. Beard’s work. His cookbook, “Theory and Practice of Good Cooking” was the very first cookbook I purchased. But doing the dinners to celebrate the newly formulated foundation was so novel I had to ask for an explanation from the gentleman who put the event together. I have spent many years doing many more events with the James Beard Foundation. Some at the legendary townhouse in Greenwich Village where he lived and taught many cooking classes. Some at my dear friend Charlie Trotter’s restaurant in Chicago, and over the years with chefs coming in from all around the world to join in. We did the first International James Beard Dinner in Mexico where I cooked with a ‘who’s who’ of chefs that week. We also did one in Milan, Italy just a few years ago. And we held many at NORMAN’S in all our locations. An honor at every one of them. I spent nearly three years as the first chef to become part of the JBF Board starting in 2006 when a new administration came in lead by the late, great Dorothy Cann-Hamilton initially and then by JBF President Susan Ungaro.
I can remember in detail how impressed I was with the people, their dedication and brilliance. I felt fortunate to be amidst them. One of key members and long serving members of the foundation is Izabela Wojcik. She is the ‘Director of Special Fund-Raising Initiatives’. I am thrilled that Izabela will be attending our celebration on October 10th. She has so much love for hospitality and knows just about every chef of consequence in America past and present. She was the person who first put the idea forth about seeing if I wanted to ‘make a little noise’ as the saying goes in music.”
