Led by longtime Executive Chef Kevin Brennan, the club’s culinary team was invited to cook at the famed New York City fine-dining establishment on October 14, preparing a one-of-a-kind dinner for approximately 80 people. The club was also named one of “Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for the 17th consecutive year.
The culinary team at Detroit Athletic Club (DAC), led by longtime Executive Chef Kevin Brennan, has received a special invitation to cook on October 14 at New York City’s famed James Beard House.
The highly sought-after honor offers DAC’s culinary masters a chance to showcase Detroit culinary style in preparing a one-of-a-kind dinner for approximately 80 people at the Greenwich Village culinary fixture.
Long-time home to American culinary legend James Beard, the house is under the auspices of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), which hosts special dinners prepared by master culinarians from across the country. In promoting the event on its website, the JBF is using the theme “High Society,” with this description: “The Detroit Athletic Club, lauded since 1887 as one of the Motor City’s most prestigious gathering places, was also the birthplace of the famous Prohibition-era Last Word cocktail. Get a taste of the historic club’s esteem—and its iconic libation—when executive chef Kevin Brennan prepares a luxurious dinner highlighting seasonal Michigan ingredients.”
DAC members who want to attend the event were being offered a special discount for tickets for the dinner. JBF members will be charged $135 and the public will be charged $175 to attend.
The menu that Chef Brennan and his staff plan to prepare for the dinner can be viewed at https://www.jamesbeard.org/events/high-society?category=Dinner
“It is truly an honor to be invited,” says Brennan. “The invitation recognizes all of the great things we are doing at the DAC.”
Brennan is excited for his team to enjoy the opportunity. He is also looking forward to showcasing DAC, Detroit and mid-western culinary trends.
“Detroit is a hidden gem,” Brennan adds. “Our food, our restaurants, they stand up to anything happening in the culinary world. DAC strives to remain at the forefront of Michigan’s culinary world.”
DAC Executive Manager Ted Gillary said that the invitation reflects the high level of respect and honor that Brennan has garnered in the culinary community. “This is truly a special moment for our team and my friend Kevin,” said Gillary.
According to Izabela Wojcik, director house programming for the James Beard Foundation, the organization originally sought to simply preserve Beard’s home. But it quickly evolved for chefs into a “performance venue,” or stage to present culinary stories built around American cuisine.
“The significance of the invitation shows that you have reached a certain point in your career, a certain level of achievement, and that you lead a team that focuses on quality
ingredients, sophisticated techniques—and applies only the highest standards,” said Wojcik. “This is professional recognition and a rite of passage for many chefs.”
The DAC culinary team was selected earlier this year by the James Beard House nominating committee that identifies chefs who can bring new ideas and cooking styles to New York.
“James Beard was the godfather of American cookery,” Wojcik said. “He championed American cuisine when it wasn’t fashionable. He lived in the house for many years, was an author, teacher, mentor and lobbyist for American cuisine.”
In July, the DAC was recognized for its high-quality human resources initiatives and named one of “Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for the 17th consecutive year.
Award recipients will be honored during a breakfast awards event on September 23 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance.
Specific considerations for selecting award recipients include: employee enrichment, engagement, and retention; compensation, benefits, and employee solutions; employee education and development; recruitment, selection, and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; and communication and shared vision. Community initiatives and strategic company performance are also evaluated.
The winning 101 companies also compete for 11 elite awards, one granted for each category. An overall winner that has excelled in all categories will be honored with a “Best of the Best Overall” award. The elite award winners will be revealed during the luncheon.
“We are extremely proud to accept this award again,” said Gillary. “The Best and Brightest distinction celebrates the strong dedication of our employees who in turn make the DAC one of Detroit’s finest places to enjoy professional growth.”
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.