Woodford Reserve, the popular Versailles, Ky.-based bourbon distiller, will partner with local restaurants and chefs to host a tasting event on Tuesday, September 17th to benefit Ben's Friends, the industry support group founded in 2016 by Indigo Road Hospitality Group managing partner Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst of Charleston Grill.
Hosted at The Cedar Room within the iconic Cigar Factory building, the event will feature culinary creations by some of the region's most recognizable chefs and restaurants, each paired with a different expression of Woodford Reserve – including Bourbon, Rye, Double Oak, Malt, 2019 Batch Proof and the company's recently debuted Wheat Whiskey. Participating chefs include:
- Jeremiah Bacon, culinary director of Oak Steakhouse and The Macintosh
- Michael Holler, executive chef of Indaco
- Jacques Larson, executive chef of Wild Olive and The Obstinate Daughter
- Bob Cook, executive chef of Edmund's Oast
- Scott Crawford, chef and owner of Jolie and Crawford and Son (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Adam Jakins, chef du cuisine of Hall's Chophouse
- Tim Morton, executive chef of Mercantile and Mash
- Lizzy Skelton and Anne White, pastry chefs at Mercantile and Mash
In addition to the food and beverage pairings, guests can expect a meet-and-greet opportunity with Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris, a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame; a crafted cocktail learning station; interactive Woodford Reserve education stations; a silent auction; and specially-crafted spirit-free beverages.
One-hundred percent of event proceeds will benefit Ben's Friends' initiative to reach food and beverage industry professionals struggling with substance abuse and addiction across the country. The event is open to guests 21+ only and space is limited. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased here.
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About Ben's Friends
Conceptualized by The Indigo Road's Steve Palmer and Charleston Grill's Mickey Bakst, Ben's Friends is a food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship and a path forward for culinary professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Founded in honor of Ben Murray, a lifelong chef who took his own life after a long battle with alcoholism, Ben's Friends exists to provide a safe haven and an anonymous, judgment-free forum for workers in an industry that has one of the highest rates of substance abuse in the country. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome in isolation or by willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of our country's talented and dedicated food and beverage professionals.
Ben's Friends now hosts weekly meetings in nine cities:
Charleston
Group meetings every Sunday at 11 a.m. at The Cedar Room, 701 E. Bay St. Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29403. For more information, follow @bensfriendscharleston on Instagram.
Raleigh, N.C.
Group meetings every Sunday at 11 a.m. at Crawford & Son, 618 N. Person St., Raleigh, NC 27604. For more information, follow @bensfriendsatlanta on Instagram.
Atlanta, Ga.
Group meetings every Sunday at 11 a.m. at O-Ku Atlanta, 1085 Howell Mill Road, Suite A3, Atlanta, GA 30318. For more information, follow @bensfriendsraleigh on Instagram.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Group meetings every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at The Lynhall, 2640 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408. For more information, follow @bensfriendsminneapolis on Instagram.
Richmond, Va.
Group meetings every Monday at 10 a.m. at Heritage, 1627 W. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23220. For more information, follow @bensfriendsrichmond on Instagram.
Charlotte, N.C.
Group meetings every Monday at 11 a.m. at Oak Steakhouse, 4777 Sharon Road #125, Charlotte, NC 28210. For more information, follow @bensfriendscharlotte on Instagram.
Portland, Ore.
Group meetings every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Jacobsen Salt Company, 602 SE Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97214. For more information, follow @bensfriendsportland on Instagram.
Asheville, N.C.
Group meetings every Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Posana, 1 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. For more information, follow @bensfriendsasheville on Instagram.
Austin, Texas
Group meetings every Monday at 11 a.m. at Comedor Austin, 501 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701. For more information, follow @bensfriendsaustin on Instagram.
