People enjoying a Chef Tasting Series dinner

Chef Tasting Series

August 19, 20 & 23, 2024

Athenaeum Hotel

Join Chef Brian Barcus, Chef Carrie Gifford or President’s Cottage Chefs Ben Shropshire and Dan Wongprapan for four-course dinners hosted in the Athenaeum Hotel parlor. These evenings will begin at 5:30 p.m. with passed hors d’oeuvres and dinner seating at 6 p.m. at the Athenaeum Hotel. See the menus and make your reservations!

If attending the dinner from off the grounds, your reservation grants you access to Chautauqua Institution and no additional Gate Pass or Ticket is needed. Please show your reservation confirmation to access the grounds. Valet parking at the Athenaeum Hotel is also available.

Registration

$115 per ticket plus tax

Tickets may also be purchased by calling 800.821.1881.

Monday, Aug. 19: Vegan Dinner

Chefs Ben Shropshire & Dan Wongprapan

Starters

  • Mushroom Pate, Cranberry Seeded Toast
  • Watermelon, Salted Creamed Basil, Honey Balsamic  

First: Heirloom Tomato, Chili Dressing, Basil Pesto, Kalamata Olive, Pickled Red Onion, Arugula    

Second: Chickpea Cake, Shitake Mushroom, Black Garlic Fennel Dressing, Shredded Greens, Oats 

Third: White Bean ConFit, Farro, Crispy Eggplant, Tempeh, Moroccan Spice Red Sauce 

Fourth: Mango Sticky Rice Roll, Coconut Creme, Goji Berry Black Cherry Jam  

Tuesday, Aug. 20: Prohibition Dinner

Chef Carrie Gifford

Join Heirloom Executive Chef Carrie Gifford for a Prohibition Style Dinner. This event will feature modern takes on some of the most popular prohibition era specialties.

Passed Canapes:

  • Melba Toast with Chicken Liver Pate, caramelized grapes, crispy chicken skin, and micro carrot top
  • Oyster Rockefeller
  • Savory Goat Cheese Panna Cotta

First: New England Clam Chowder

Second: Ambrosia Salad

Third: Cranberry Orange Duck

Fourth: Bathtub Gin Cake

Friday, Aug. 23: Gastropub Night

Chef Brian Barcus

Join guest Chef Brian Barcus for a 4-couse chef’s tasing menu. Chef Barcus is currently a Culinary Specialist with Sysco with an extensive history in fine dining restaurants including Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Oakmont Country Club, and the Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh.

Passed Canapes:

  • Scotch Egg
  • Mushroom Cigarillo
  • Seared Scallop & Latke

First: Pastrami Duck Breast

Second: Caramelized Peach & Burrata

Third: Certified Angus Beef Filet of Ribeye

Fourth: Ube Cheesecake Mousse

Brian Barcus is an enthusiastic and driven chef who loves all aspects of the food service industry. His two decades of experience in various food service outlets gives him an array of skills and techniques from many different cuisines. Born in raised in the Pittsburgh Area, his career started professionally, after completing the one-year program at The University of Indiana Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts. He is versed in large scale banquets, ala carte service, fine dining, special themed collaborative dinners, and farm fresh products from the area. He worked for a few of the finest chefs in the region at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Oakmont Country Club, Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh to name a few. Brian shifted his professional focuses to the sales world, joining Sysco in July of ’22. He is a husband, father, chef, and outdoorsman. Brian and his wife Kimberly have three boys Brian, Barrett, and Benjamin.