MONTEREY, California (November 4, 2013) – The Chef’s Association of the Pacific Coast, Inc. honored Mary Clark Bartlett, CEO and founder of Epicurean Group, with the prestigious Antonin Carême medal at a black-tie ceremony here on November 3, 2013.
Named for Chef Antonin Carême, “the chef of kings and the king of chefs,” the award honors “individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the culinary profession, to education, or the advancement of gastronomy and to the culinary arts.” Bartlett was one of this year’s six distinguished medal recipients, including the Honorable Leon Panetta, Aaron Johnson, Lars Kronmark, Thomas Macrina and Bobby Moghaddam.
Bartlett was the 160th recipient and the seventh woman to have been named a medalist, joining such notables as Julia Child and Martin Yan, according to Elliott Katz, 2013 Carême board trustee. Katz introduced Bartlett, the evening’s first honoree, as “a recognized thought-leader in sustainable food,” citing her environmental education and advocacy efforts.
Bartlett accepted the award on behalf of her two business partners, Rey Hernandez and Marvin Rodriguez, who, she said, have been by her side since the company’s inception. “Martin and Rey share my vision of a new American food system, one that provides the kind of food that’s good for our bodies and for the environment.” Bartlett said that the award was particularly meaningful because this year is Epicurean Group’s ten-year anniversary.
More than 100 culinarians attended the 44h annual reception and dinner, held at the Ferrantes Bayview ballroom on the tenth floor of the Marriott Hotel overlooking Monterey Bay. Guests enjoyed a seven-course menu, paired with local still and sparkling wines, prepared by Marriott Hotel Executive Chef Willi Franz.