Executive Chef Saipin Chutima, Lotus of Siam 

Before the James Beard Award and the Gourmet Magazine review, Lotus of Siam was a small little hole in the wall located in Commercial Center in Las Vegas.  November 1999 was the month Chef Saipin and her husband Bill took over Lotus of Siam.  Since then, Thai food became an adventure for those willing to step out of their comfort zones for Asian Cuisine.  Chef Saipin’s distinct cooking has been passed down from generations after generations, from both her grandmothers and her husband’s grandmothers.  Her northern style cooking has opened America into the “Northern” world of Thailand, away from the Bangkok style of sweet and tang.  The northern menu consists of hearty herbs and spices, along with Thai style stews and coconut-less curries.  Through her set menu’s, our guest can dine and enjoy recipes from over 100 years in the Chutima family.

Las Vegas Nevada (May 27, 2013) – The James Beard Foundation (JBF) today announced a partnership with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Visa Signature® to present The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America®: “Local Flavor from Coast To Coast” epicurean tour. From September 20 through October 19, 2013, the five weekend Taste America tour will showcase culinary all stars and public events exploring the nation’s unique range of local cuisines to 10 cities, including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.  

The legendary Jacques Pépin will kick off the program as the Honorary All-Star Chef with an invite-only gourmet burger tasting for culinary industry influencers and chefs at the historic James Beard House in New York City on June 12. The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America lineup of public programming includes benefit dinners with JBF Award–winning chefs and culinary celebrities; in-store events at Sur La Table® with celebrity chef appearances, cooking demos, book signings, tastings from local producers, and artisans; and more. A Taste America vehicle will also tour local gathering places such as green markets and shopping malls that will feature family activities aimed at promoting regional foods and healthy eating habits. Tickets for the public go on sale on Monday, July 8 at jbftasteamerica.org.

The Taste America tour will send all-star chefs and food celebrities on the road to host local events and act as ambassadors for JBF in participating cities. The Taste America All-Star Chefs include Rick Bayless, John Besh, Richard Blais, Sean Brock, Suzanne Goin, Carla Hall, and Daniel Patterson.  The Las Vegas stop will be September 27-28 with multiple stop throughout the city as well as Fashion Show Mall and many more.  

“The Taste America tour will shine a light on the dynamic culinary cities across the country,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Our Taste America chefs will be working with local farmers and artisanal producers of everything from cheese to chocolate. With the support of Chase Sapphire Visa Signature, we are now able to bring together the best of the best innovators in our food world to educate and entertain Americans about local flavors from coast to coast.”

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America is presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature, a premier rewards credit card for people who love travel and dining. Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature cardholders will enjoy exclusive benefits not available to the public at James Beard Foundation’s Taste America events, including access to chefs, exclusive recipes, preferred seating, and more.   

“Chase Sapphire Preferred is designed for people who love dining and unique culinary experiences,” said Sean O’Reilly, general manager, JP Morgan Chase. “Our partnership with the James Beard Foundation for the Taste America program offers our cardholders exceptional opportunities and access to renowned chefs and restaurants in communities across the country.”

The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America is supported by retail partner, Sur La Table, national media partner, Every Day with Rachael Ray, and national sponsors including Breville, Delta Air Lines, The Gulf Oyster Industry Council, and Lurpak® butter.

About Visa Signature®

Visa Signature offers cardholders a range of benefits that provide special access and can save time and money.  In addition to points, miles, cash back or other premium rewards offered by Visa Signature partners, cardholders enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers for fine wine and food, travel, and sports and entertainment events. For more information on Visa Signature visit www.visa.com/signature.

About Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Chase Sapphire Preferred is a premier rewards credit card for people who are passionate about travel and dining. With  Sapphire Preferred you enjoy  premium travel rewards and benefits with no travel restrictions or blackout dates on airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards, double points for every dollar spent on dining and travel, no foreign transaction fees, 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs, 24/7 live customer service, access to exclusive card member  experiences and more.  More information is available at www.ChaseSapphire.com.

About the James Beard Foundation:

Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America's diverse culinary heritage and future. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful and delicious food. Today the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September of 2012, the Foundation launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter and Instagram.

Chef Morimoto

  This year's event benefits The James Beard Foundation