An annual culinary award conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown to celebrate and provide a new platform for the leading voices in the culinary arts whom emerged during this trying reality.

We honor them for work that is fresh and original, that delights their guests, inspires their peers, and pushes forward the meaning of Southern food. The inaugural award chef honorees were selected by noted food journalists John Kessler, Christiane Lauterbach, and Ligaya Figueras in collaboration with chef Nicolas Bour. The awards are paired with intimate dinners to showcase the culinary talents of the featured chef honorees.

Trifoliate Award Dinners will be experiential gatherings held at The Farmhouse at Serenbe. The dinner experiences will be designed as a collaboration between the chef honorees and noted event designer Kristin Genet and artist Rachel K. Garceau. The wine program is directed by sommelier Gil Kulers. Dinners will vary in tone and presentation with attendees enjoying art, performances and a transformative culinary experience.

Proceeds from the Trifoliate Award Dinners will go towards This Postage Stamp of Native Soil, a non-profit oral history project based in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia.

Claudia Martinez

While other pastry chefs around the South and the country remain busy deconstructing desserts — replacing cakes and tarts with scatter-art assemblages — Martinez crafts jewelbox masterpieces that are both classically beautiful and delightful to dig into, with ingredients hidden and layered within. When she adds savory flavors, such as curry, she does so with a keen sense of uplifting other ingredients.

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Nic Bour

Chef Nic is not only intimately familiar with the Farmhouse garden offerings, he is also currently writing a vegan cookbook with musician Trever Keith of the band Face to Face.

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