Chef Marcus Samuelsson to Host '30 Years: A Celebration of the James Beard Foundation' on ABC, 11/26

A one-hour special, "30 Years: A Celebration of the James Beard Foundation," from the James Beard Foundation and Intersport, their exclusive television content partner, will premiere on The ABC Television Network, on SUNDAY, NOV. 26 (4:00-5:00 p.m. EST).

The television special, which will re-air on Sunday, Dec. 17, will feature appearances by a plethora of culinary boldface names including Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Traci des Jardins, Carla Hall, Emeril Lagasse, Jacques Pepin, Gail Simmons, Martha Stewart and Ming Tsai.

Multiple James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and philanthropist, Marcus Samuelsson, will take viewers on a culinary journey through the history of the James Beard Foundation while creating a special 30th anniversary dinner at the Beard House. The dinner serves as a springboard to inform the viewers about JBF's rich history, including the experience of cooking or dining at the iconic James Beard House; a peek into the world-renowned James Beard Awards; first-hand insight from the students of JBF's scholarship programs; and chefs' involvement in the JBF Impact Programs, including the Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change.

"Marcus has the distinction of having cooked the most fundraising dinners ever at the Beard House and represents the vitality and creativity that's happening in today's culinary world," said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. "Marcus' extraordinary talent, philanthropic endeavors, and BOUNDLESS energy to help others complements our mission to celebrate, nurture and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable for everyone."

"Our crews spent significant time with more than 50 award-winning chefs and culinary leaders in order to capture the essence of American food culture and the James Beard Foundation's important role in it," said John Paquet, executive producer of Intersport. "Audiences across the country can expect unprecedented access to the premier authority in American cuisine through the content we've created to celebrate this great milestone."
Featured sponsors for the JBF 30th Anniversary platform include Hunt's Tomatoes and PAM Cooking Spray. Part of the Conagra Brands portfolio, both will be participating as broadcast sponsors during "30 Years: A Celebration of the James Beard Foundation." Additionally, Hunt's and PAM will be participating in a digital series featuring recipes created by JBF-recognized chefs, blending the origins of the Foundation with the versatility of cooking with Hunt's and PAM.

About the James Beard Foundation (JBF)
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, the late James Beard 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 JBF 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. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Get food news, recipes, and more at the James Beard Foundation's blog, or subscribe to the free digital newsletter Beard Bites. Follow @beardfoundation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat. Watch the James Beard House Kitchen Cam, James Beard Awards, and more on the Foundation's Livestream channel. Find more JBF-related video on the Foundation's Youtube channel.

About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment-based media and marketing platforms with seven best-in-class practices; Media Production and Distribution, Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, B2B Hospitality, Customer Engagement, Content Marketing and Stadium Event Properties. This Chicago-based marketing firm creates compelling ideas, content and experiences for rights holders, brands and consumers. To learn more about Intersport, visit http://www.intersportnet.com/, read our newsletter, or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.