“Our Chicago event is our way of kicking off the James Beard Foundation Awards weekend.  And this particular event celebrates JBF recognized chefs of color.”  Lezli Levene Harvell, Founder and Curator of Iconoclast Dinner Experience

Make late night plans for May 4th and join the delicious celebration of Iconoclast Dinner Experience (IDE) with Lezli Levene Harvell, founder and curator.  Chef Jaime Laurita will be hosting this special event in the Middleby Residential Showroom in the Merchandise Mart.  Although the menu will be a surprise, several James Beard Foundation Award nominees (past and present) will be presenting this feast including : Chef Jerome Grant, Chef Gabriel Hernandez, Chef Mashama Bailey, and Chef Gregory Gourdet.  The mission of Iconoclast Dinner Experience is to broaden the culinary conversation to include the diverse voices from throughout the globe making significant contributions to food culture.

As we all know, charity begins in the kitchen.  Net proceeds from the evening will benefit students at  Spelman College who are from Jamaica or Sub-Saharan African countries. Lezli Leven Harvell attended Spelman and strongly believes that her education there propelled her to where she is today.  In addition to being a food enthusiast, she is also a pediatric dentist.

Here are Lezli Leven Harvell’s three ingredients in the recipe for success as a female entrepreneur:

1. As a woman, you have to understand that you don’t have to do everything.  Delegate.
2. You have to be a complete person.  You can’t just be wife or woman.  Carve time for yourself.
3. Listen to your own passion and don’t allow what other people think to drive your process. Be true to your own vision.

Here is the link to purchase tickets while they last:

Savor the day!