Detroit and Michigan may not have won any James Beard Awards this year, but the prestigious organization has honored a Detroit chef with its Taste America culinary series.
Chef Doug Hewitt of award-winning Detroit restaurants Freya and Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails is part of the James Beard Foundation's 2026-27 TasteTwenty class, a "ones to watch" spotlight of chefs across the nation. The series includes a special dinner at Freya on Sept. 30.
The ticketed, $200-per-person event will showcase the talents of Hewitt, along with two collaborators, chefs Joe Giacomino and John Vermiglo of Grey Ghost.
"Our Detroit dinner is a celebration of three phenomenal chefs: Chartreuse's Doug Hewitt, whose cuisine is rooted in vibrant, locally sourced ingredients, alongside Grey Ghost's Joe Giacomino and John Vermiglio, who have become known for their warm Midwestern hospitality and thoughtful cooking. As both Chartreuse and Grey Ghost celebrate 10 years, this collaboration honors two restaurants that have helped shape Detroit's culinary renaissance over the past decade," said Siobhan Flaherty Haber, vice president of events for the James Beard Foundation, in a press release. "It's going to be a beautiful evening of delicious food and storytelling — showcasing the creativity, community spirit, and leadership that make American food culture so vibrant."
"It's a rare opportunity to meet the artists behind the plate, enjoy incredible food and conversation, and support the Foundation's mission to champion independent restaurants at a time when that support is needed more than ever," added James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach in a statement.
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Details of the four-course menu have not yet been announced, but tickets are on sale now at jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.
Freya is at 2929 E. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: James Beard Taste America dinner is coming to Freya in Detroit