The James Beard Foundation®, the organization behind the James Beard Awards®, announces that its Taste America culinary series returns to Miami with a special pop-up dinner featuring Miami’s 2024 James Beard Award winning Best Chef: South, Valerie Chang.

The special evening will be held on Thursday, October 17 at Maty's with dinner seatings at 6:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Presented by Capital One, the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® series celebrates culinary excellence and the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities, bringing together chefs and food lovers for unique dining experiences across 20 U.S. cities.

Valerie Chang from Maty’s is recognized as one of the industry’s finest culinary talents and changemakers and is part of the Foundation’s annual class of TasteTwenty chefs—who will present an exceptional menu and champion the James Beard Foundation’s mission of Good Food for Good® at this special event. Tickets for the Taste America Miami dinner are on sale now at jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.

Hosted at Maty’s, the Miami dinner is an unparalleled opportunity for guests to experience the outstanding and delicious work of James Beard Foundation-curated talent in a rare and intimate setting. Guests will enjoy a delectable one-of-a-kind multi-course menu, in addition to wine pairings and cocktails, created by host chef Valerie Chang and the Maty’s team, in collaboration with chef Tam Pham of Tâm Tâm.

Chef Valerie Chang, who was Miami’s first James Beard Award winner in 10 years is known for celebrating the authentic flavors of her familial Peruvian roots with elevated spins on classic dishes. In September 2023, just six months after opening, Maty’s was named among one of Bon Appetit’s “24 Best New Restaurants” and also earned a place on the New York Times’ “Restaurant List.”

"We are thrilled to host Taste America in Miami and celebrate the city’s distinct and vibrant local food culture through the work of our phenomenal TasteTwenty chef Valerie Chang from Maty’s," said Siobhan Flaherty Haber, Vice President of Events at the James Beard Foundation. "We're excited to spotlight Valerie’s work in driving the industry forward through her dedication to excellence and commitment to community. Valerie’s inclusion in the 2024-2025 TasteTwenty class of chefs is well-deserved, and we are excited to share her vision and talent with guests of this special event.

Proceeds from Taste America events benefit the James Beard Foundation’s national impact programming in support of equity, sustainability, women’s leadership, and a future where all can thrive for the culinary industry and beyond.

Tickets for the Taste America Miami event are now on sale. For more information visit, jamesbeard.org/tasteamerica.