Chef John Varanese is one of five chefs chosen by Grgich Hills winery to participate in the Napa Valley winery's 40th anniversary celebration at James Beard Hours on September 6.
Violet Grgich, daughter of winery founder and Vintner Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko "Mike" Grgich, will preside over a dinner prepared by five chefs from across the United States.
In this collaborative dinner, each chef will create an appetizer to showcase the winery's 2014 Chardonnay. Then, each course will feature a dish from each chef in turn to match specific Grgich wines, including special older vintages from the Grgich library.
The winery and the chefs will donate their time and expenses, as well as the food and wine, turning over the dinner's proceeds to help fund the James Beard Foundation's mission of food and wine education.
In addition to Varanese, invited chefs are Daniel Joly, The Mirabelle, Beaver Creek, Colorado; Daniel Bruce, Meritage Restaurant-Wine Bar, Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston; Michael Smith of the Kansas City restaurant that bears his name; and Dana Cree, executive pastry chef at The Publican Brand, Chicago.