United Kingdom

In an effort to promote America’s diverse culinary traditions, the U.S. Embassy in the U.K. partnered with CDP to bring five American chefs to the U.K. throughout the year in 2019. The chefs engaged with the public, their U.K. counterparts and the press, highlighting the best food America has to offer. In doing so, they shared personal stories and their vast knowledge of the U.S. food system.

Amanda Freitag

Chef Amanda Freitag, accompanied by Chef Ariane Duarte, launched this year-long partnership with our first program in the U.K. The trip focused on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, taking place around the time of her visit. Showcasing the role food played in WWII, Chef Amanda highlighted a special group of women called, “Donut Dollies”. These women risked their lives on the front lines in Europe, driving trucks into combat zones to provide a taste of home to the American soldiers with hot coffee and fresh donuts. While in the U.K. she also participated in the London Produce Show, working with the U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service to highlight great U.S. produce. We also traveled to Manchester to engage with two nonprofits, one providing job training to ex-offenders and another feeding the food insecure in their local community.

Tory McPhail

Chef Tory McPhail, accompanied by Chef Meg Bickford, traveled to the U.K. to showcase New Orleans culture and cuisine. Partnering with a local NOLA restaurant, Chef Tory worked together with Chef Jacob Kenedy to present a taste of New Orleans at an Embassy reception held at the restaurant. Chef Tory traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to participate in the U.S. Consulate’s July 4th event and also prepared a New Orleans brunch at the residence of the U.S. Consul General for local food bloggers and influencers.

Mary Sue Milliken

Chef Mary Sue Milliken’s U.K. program began in Abergavenny, Wales where she participated in their annual Food Festival. Next, we headed to London where she engaged with culinary students and worked with them to prepare a multi-course dinner for guests. She showcased her California cuisine at the Consul General’s residence for women in the food industry and participated in a panel discussion focused on empowering women in hospitality. She also participated in a sustainability supper club as well as a dinner at the U.S. Embassy in London.

Jerome Grant & Justin Walker

Chefs Justin Walker and Jerome Grant, accompanied by Chef Mallory Bowen traveled to the U.K. for a Thanksgiving Roadshow. We started in London, then Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and then finishing in Plymouth. Both chefs showcased their regional Thanksgiving dishes to different audiences around the U.K. speaking about the traditional meal and how it varies depending on where in the U.S. you live. In anticipation of the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 2020, the chefs prepared a dinner with culinary students in Plymouth at an exciting lead-up event. Finally, we headed back to London to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the American International Church for the unhoused community living in the area.