Celebrating Chef Jacques Pépin at 90 at L’Avant Garde
By • March 16, 2025 One Comment 456
One of America’s beloved chefs, Jacques Pépin, turns 90 this year. Known for cooking with Julia Child in the 1990s or being French President Charles de Gaulle’s personal chef, the TV personality, James Beard award winner and cookbook author is being celebrated around the country.
The Jacques Pépin Foundation first-ever nationwide fundraising campaign honors Pépin’s prolific 75-year career as an esteemed culinary educator and legendary chef and is heading to Washington. D.C. These special dining events at L’Avant Garde, Centrolina, The Square and Fiola are part of a series of 90 star-studded chef-hosted events that will take place throughout the country, leading up to Pépin’s 90th birthday in December.
The celebrations continue this week in Georgetown at L’Avant Garde. Chefs Sébastien Giannini, Amy Brandwein, Fabio Trabocchi and Antonio Mermolia host events in Washington, D.C., in honor of Jacques Pépin’s 90th birthday.
Washington, D.C., Events:
L’Avant Garde — Thursday, March 20
Chef/Partner Sébastien Giannini will present a seated five-course dinner highlighting French classics with a modern twist as his elegant, sultry Georgetown restaurant. Diners will enjoy a menu celebrating Jacques Pépin’s culinary legacy, including Lobster and Chicken Vol-au-Vent with Armoricaine Sauce, Duck à l’Orange, and more. Classic cocktails and an extensive wine list are also available.
Reservations: This special dinner is $90 per person and reservations can be made here.
Centrolina — Sunday, April 27
Seven-time James Beard Award Nominee Chef Amy Brandwein will serve a special sit down dinner in her signature style of regional Italian fare. Chef Brandwein is revered for keeping Italian food simple but with an elevated presentation, while always prioritizing seasonality. Diners can expect a four-course menu composed of traditional Italian categories such as antipasti, pasta, a lenga (from the terracotta-clad wood oven), contorni and dolce.
Reservations: coming soon
The Square — Monday, May 12
This unique dine-around experience in the Atrium of The Square will feature a group of chefs popping up at the food hall stalls to prepare and serve dishes inspired by Jacques’ recipes. French product vendors will also be present with their items available for purchase throughout the venue.
Reservations: tickets coming soon.
Fiola — Tuesday, May 20
Chef/Owner Fabio Trabocchi and Executive Chef Antonio Mermolia will collaborate to prepare an intimate five-course dinner for 25 people in Michelin-starred Fiola’s private dining room. The evening will start with a cocktail reception followed by an exquisite tasting menu featuring modern Italian fare paired with wines from Fiola’s Wine Spectator Grand Award winning list. Reservations: seats are $550 per person and can be reserved here.
The JPF’s 90/90 campaign, which preserves, protects, and promotes Pépin’s 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
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.
God Bless a real great man and great Chef my life is better by seeing your cooking techniques. Linzer tort was a great challenge thanks Chef Happy Birthday stay safe