22nd Friends of James Beard benefit celebrates the KC culinary scene in high fashion

July 3, 2023

Kyle Wisecarver,

If you follow the restaurant industry in Kansas City, you hear about the big-name chefs and their businesses. The American, which opened in 1974, stood out as one of the top restaurants in the country and was home—at one point in time—to many of the city’s greatest chefs.

The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that highlights chefs and restaurants pushing the limits and creating a culture of fairness, sustainability, and inclusion. Chef Michael Smith, who we know for Extra Virgin and Farina, won a James Beard award as executive chef at The American in 1999. In 2018, the restaurant won another James Beard Award for best design.

The American closed its doors to the public in 2016 but still hosts private events to this day. Most years, they have hosted The Friends of James Beard Dinner, which is an event organized by the James Beard Foundation. The annual dinner was paused due to COVID but has finally returned this year. Some of KC’s most celebrated culinary experts curated the multi-course menu, getting to contribute a dish each of their own. The team included Michael Olson of the American, Andrew Longres of Acre, Celina Tio of The Belfry, Michael Smith of Extra Virgin and Farina, Colby Garrelts of Rye, and instructor Nick Wesemann from Johnson Community College.