The annual ChefDance dining series always outshines all offscreen events at Sundance Film Festival, and this year was no different. The 17th consecutive ChefDance took place last weekend and brought today’s top culinary masters, entertainment stars and tastemakers together for five consecutive days/nights to celebrate food and film. ChefDance 2020 also had a special daytime Social Impact Lounge with panels and lunches.
ChefDance 2020 also partnered with Future Generations Now (a community and central hub to other charitable organizations). Founded in 2018 by Skyler Griswold, Future Generations Now’s mission is to build a global community that will participate in projects and experiences that result in a positive social impact on education, children, and the environment. This year’s ChefDance brought great awareness to how Future Generations Now makes incredible, positive changes all around the world.
Each night of the dining series featured a marvelous multi-course dinner prepared by big name culinary artists. On Friday, attendees like actors Ross Butler, Chris Pang, and Alex Landi enjoyed extraordinary Mexican cuisine (like delectable tamales!) from Chef Gabriela Cámara (Contramar, Mexico City). Created in collaboration with Kroger, MasterCard, Postmates, Sysco and Chameleon Cold-Brew, this dinner party honored Chef Alice Waters, 2015 Recipient of the National Humanities Medal by President Obama.
During the day on Friday, confirmed guests could also attend the Social Impact Lounge for A Day Of Food Transformation (in partnership with FoodTank). The day featured a lunch with Chef Alice Waters honoring Edible Schoolyard Project, whose mission is to build and share a national edible education curriculum for pre-kindergarten through high school. Attendees also enjoyed enlightening presentations by actress Olivia Wilde, Eric Edge (CMO, Postmates), David Moscow (Host, From Scratch), and more.
“At ChefDance, our tagline is ‘Inviting Great’, meaning great chefs, conversations, music and people all come together to create human connection,” says ChefDance Founder Mimi Kim. “We are honored to be working with incredible chefs, charities and panelists who continue to do amazing work in sustainability, food, philanthropy and equal rights. We are truly Greater when we are Equal.”
On Saturday, ChefDance attendees like Walking Dead actress Carrie Bernans and actor Michael Stuhlbarg enjoyed eats by Michelin Chef Melissa Perello (Frances and Octavia, San Francisco). The dinner also presented Martha Stewart with the ChefDance Legend Award for her contributions to the culinary industry. ChefDance also honored the Sundance film Shirley (with Elisabeth Moss and Odessa Young), Sallie Krawcheck of Ellevest, and Jennifer Salke (Head of Amazon Studios). Future Generations Now founder Skyler Griswold also delivered a keynote speech for the attendees.
Earlier in the day, Postmates hosted a House of ChefDance brunch with Martha Stewart and other high-profile guests like Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband, Justin Mikita. In the Social Impact Lounge, guests could also attend events surrounding “Diversity and Inclusivity” that included a lunch with Sallie Krawcheck and the launch of WUF “Voice of Dogs” featuring Cesar Milan (Teaching Cesar’s Way). Saturday’s dinner was also created in collaboration with Kroger, MasterCard, Sysco and Chameleon Cold-Brew.
There were more spectacular dinners and informative panels on Sunday and Monday. Overall, ChefDance 2020 was undoubtedly one of the most sought-after events at this year’s Sundance. If you own a brand and are looking to connect your products/services to the prestige of Sundance Film Festival, definitely consider sponsoring ChefDance 2021. It will help generate mass awareness of your brand and allow for many celebrity marketing opportunities with today’s top entertainment stars and influencers.
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