Three esteemed local chefs will join Madrina executive chef Tim Adams this summer for a monthly dining experience celebrating St. Louis’ culinary diversity.
The Silk Road Dinner Series aims to emulate its namesake, the network of trade routes that spurred the cross-cultural exchange of goods, traditions, and ideas between European and Asian nations. In that same spirit, during the third Wednesdays of June, July, and August, Madrina in Webster Groves (101 W. Lockwood) will host a dinner series that fuses cuisine and culture.
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“Food and culture are historically intertwined,” says Adams. “Food is a universal language that transcends borders. We want to celebrate that and give back to an organization that does so much for our community. The Silk Road Dinner Series invites guests to immerse themselves in flavors like clove, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon, and creations that have shaped so many people’s lives in our city.”
The June 18 dinner will feature guest chef Julie Truong of fast-casual Vietnamese spot DD Mau, which has been critically acclaimed since opening its first location in 2018. In partnership with Adams, Truong will blend Vietnamese and Italian flavors.
The next installment will be July 16, when Madrina welcomes Nick Bognar, a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist and executive chef of iNDO and Sado. Bognar’s culinary style—which blends Thai flavors and Japanese techniques—will mix Southeast Asian influence with Italian-American recipes.
Finally, on August 20, Madrina will host Balkan Treat Box‘s Loryn Nalic, who was recently named a 2025 James Beard finalist. Nalic will serve up her signature Balkan cuisine alongside Italian techniques.
Additionally, Madrina will donate 20 percent of the proceeds from the series to the International Institute of St. Louis, which focuses on creating a welcoming environment for immigrant and refugee communities in the metro area.
Each dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased here.
