New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) – The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center welcomes distinguished French chef, television personality and prolific author Jacques Pépin to present his comprehensive culinary knowledge and insight on Saturday, May 20, at 8:00 p.m. The master chef, who won a Daytime Emmy® for his PBS series with Julia Child, will also offer a food demonstration with sous chef and daughter Claudine Pépin. Tickets range from $35 to $85 and can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at www.zeiterion.org, or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Group sales are available for 10 tickets or more, which can be purchased by calling 508-997-5664 x123.
An Evening with Jacques Pépin will center on Mr. Pépin’s philosophy behind the perfect meal as he incorporates tales of his extensive career, perspectives on healthy eating, and preparing one’s table. Ms. Pépin will join her father on stage to help present his ideas, methods and skills in a live cooking demonstration featuring an eclectic ingredient list to reveal one of his most famous dishes. The evening will also include a Q & A session where Mr. Pépin will accept questions from the audience. Following the presentation, ticketholders who purchased the meet and greet will enjoy a post-performance reception with Mr. Pépin.
Mr. Pépin has published more than 25 cookbooks, hosted 14 highly acclaimed public television shows and taught millions of Americans – plus an entire generation of chefs – how to cook. His innovative approach to the kitchen begins with technique and ends with creation, believing that every meal should be a celebration. The success of his book, La Technique, prompted the launch of the acclaimed 1997 PBS series, The Complete Pépin, and it was followed by the Daytime Emmy® Award-winning Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home with Julia Child. Ms. Pépin has joined her father in three public television shows, including Jacques Pepin’s Kitchen: Cooking with Claudine, which have all received the notable James Beard Award.
Mr. Pépin was born in Bourg-en-Bresse, near Lyon, in France. His first exposure to cooking was as a child in his parents’ restaurant, Le Pelican. At age 13, he began his formal apprenticeship at the distinguished Grand Hotel de L’Europe in his hometown. He subsequently worked in Paris, training under Lucien Diat at the Plaza Athénée. From 1956 to 1958, Pépin was the personal chef to three French heads of state, including Charles de Gaulle. After moving to the U.S. in 1959, Mr. Pépin worked first at New York’s historic Le Pavillon restaurant, then served 10 years as director of research and new development for the Howard Johnson Company.
Mr. Pépin is the recipient of three of the French government’s highest honors: he is a Chevalier de L’Ordre National de la Legion d’ Honneur, Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (1997) and a Chevalier de L’Ordre du Mérite Agricole (1992). The Dean of Special Programs at The French Culinary Institute (New York), he also is an adjunct faculty member at Boston University. He is a founder of The American Institute of Wine and Food, a member of the International Association of Cooking Professionals, and is on the board of trustees of James Beard Foundation. He and his wife Gloria live in Madison, Conn.
Claudine Pépin, Jacques daughter and co-star, has spent a great deal of time in the wine industry. She was the ’Brand Ambassador’ for Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon Champagne in New York while also teaching food and wine pairing for both the French Culinary Institute and the Sommelier Society in New York. In 2002, Ms. Pépin was named “Woman of the Year” by the Academie Culinaire de France – Filiale des Etas Unis. She continues to appear with her father, and is the host of a series entitled The Zen of Taste that was filmed on location in Hong Kong.
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and two hours before each performance.
