Broadmoor Bistro begins chef lecture series

The Broadmoor Bistro, a signature program of the Shawnee Mission School District, opens its Wysong Family and James Beard Foundation Lecture Series on Tuesday.

The fist visiting chefs of the lecture season are Colby and Megan Garrelts of Bluestem Restaurant, Kansas City, Mo.

This is the second year the Broadmoor Bistro has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to create the lecture series, Linda Roser, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation executive director, said.

As part of the series, visiting chefs are brought to the bistro throughout the year to work as a mentor to Broadmoor culinary arts students. Together, they prepare dishes from the chef’s featured menu.

Community members are invited to eat the student-prepared five-course meals.

“It provides expertise in the field and access to high-quality participating chefs throughout the country,” Roser said. “It is an amazing, inspirational opportunity for these students.”

Each of the chefs selected for the lecture series are James Beard-recognized chefs, Roser said. Chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts opened Bluestem in 2004.

The restaurant was named the 2007 Sante Magazine Restaurant of the Year, gained a four-star rating from Kansas City Magazine and earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

The series is made possible by the Wysong Family Foundation for the benefit of the Broadmoor Technical School Culinary Arts and Commercial Banking program. Grant funds are distributed through the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.

The Colby and Megan Garrelts dining event will begin with hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m.  Tuesday at the Broadmoor Bistro, 6701 W. 83rd St., Overland Park. Dinners typically last about two hours. Reservations are required and can be made at www.broadmoorbistro.org for $50.

The fee covers the cost of the meal, and any proceeds will fund scholarships for culinary arts students to enter post-secondary education, Roser said.

The James Beard Foundation provides scholarships to aspiring food professionals and celebrates the American culinary tradition.

Chef Dean Max of the 3030 Ocean restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will visit Nov. 17. Chef Gregory Zapantis of New York’s Kellari restaurant will visit Jan. 19.

Other dining events will be held Feb. 16, March 30 and April 27.

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