The “so-and-so belongs on the Mount Rushmore of X” trope is fairly lazy, or at least something that's generally reserved for sports talk radio hosts in between seasons. But if I were to indulge in the exercise, especially for 20th-century French chefs, there’s no doubt in my mind that Jacques Pépin would be invited for a sculpture sitting.
During Pépin’s 75-year career in the kitchen, as a restaurateur and a culinary educator, he has published more than 30 cookbooks, appeared on television cooking shows and been a judge on some of TV’s most popular competitive cooking programs. But his biggest passion has been to teach and inspire new cooks to enter the profession through his work with the Culinary Arts Program at Boston University and as the dean of special programs at the International Culinary Center in New York City.
Despite all these accolades and achievements, Pépin is still a relatively humble man. After serving as personal chef to French President Charles DeGaulle, he turned down an offer to take the same role for John F. Kennedy, instead taking a consulting role with — I kid you not — Howard Johnson’s. I was once enjoying an early dinner and speaking to the owner at a small bistro on Florida's Amelia Island when I noticed her hands began to shake. I asked her what was wrong, and she whisper/shouted, “That’s Jacques Pépin!”
A frequent vacationer on the island, the casually dressed Pépin made it a point to visit with everyone in the kitchen to thank them for the meal, and sat for photos with any patrons who recognized him. (Not me. I practice “The Nashville Way” of leaving celebrities be when I see them in public, even away from town. Did I mention Ringo Starr was at the same bar as me earlier this week?!)
So if he won’t toot his own horn, Pépin’s friends and family did it for him when they founded the The Jacques Pépin Foundation to honor his long career and dedication to education by providing hundreds of hours of free online instructional videos, as well as grants, cookbook libraries and other resources nationwide for workforce development, designed for individuals who are under-resourced. According to their website, the the foundation also “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.”
To commemorate Pépin’s 90th birthday this year, The JPF has organized a nationwide fundraising campaign around 90 chef-hosted events across the country. Nashville has stepped up to take part in more than our share of those 90 events with four events already on the books to raise funds and honor Pépin.
Apologies that I didn’t find out about the first one until it had already happened, but Margot McCormack and executive chef Hadley Long of Margot Cafe & Bar put together what looked like a lovely three-course lunch on Jan. 15. As you would imagine, their menu was inspired by Pépin classics with Southern twists and seasonal ingredients.
Fortunately, there are still three more chances to eat well and do good coming up over the next few months. Here are the official descriptions from the JPF:
The Mockingbird (Sunday, Feb. 16)
James Beard Award-winning chef Maneet Chauhan and Chopped champion chef Brian Riggenbach will collaborate on a beautiful multicourse brunch. Both chefs will guide guests through a menu inspired by Pépin’s timeless recipes. The experience begins with a welcome cocktail, and a unique brunch marrying culinary styles of both restaurants follows.
Reservations: This special brunch is $115 per person, and reservations can be made here.
City House (Tuesday, March 4)
Chef Tandy Wilson and guest chef Margot McCormack unite for a special collaborative four-course wine-paired or N/A beverage-paired dinner. Showcasing Southern-inspired Italian comfort food, this dinner doubles as a reunion: Wilson first cooked for McCormack at Margot Cafe back in 2004. Guests will also receive a surprise take-home commemorative gift.
Reservations: This special dinner is $150 per person, and reservations can be made here.
Bad Idea (Wednesday, May 14)
Chef Colby Rasavong hosts guests at Bad Idea, recently named one of The New York Times’ 50 best restaurants in America, for a special, intimate four-course dinner inspired by Jacques Pépin’s iconic recipes and techniques. The event will feature two seatings on the restaurant's picturesque balcony, offering an intimate dining experience with dishes that blend Chef Rasavong’s culinary background and Lao heritage.
Reservations: coming soon.
Bon appétit!
