One of the more distinctive, worthwhile St. Louis food–based events is taking place in late April. It’s sure to sell out, so take notice: On April 26, Mirepoix, a fundraiser for PBS series Food is Love, will be held at 612North Event Space + Catering (612 N. Second) on Laclede’s Landing.
Hosted by master chef Lasse Sorensen, Food is Love explores the diversity of the St. Louis food scene. Each week, Danish chef Lasse Sorensen (an immigrant himself) visits the kitchens of the metro area’s most renowned restaurants to discover the cultural influences therein.
Find the best food in St. Louis
Subscribe to the St. Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene.
“I’m going on a journey around the world right here in St. Louis,” he says. (Sorensen also owns and operates Tom’s Place, a fine dining restaurant in De Soto, Illinois.)
In the inaugural episode, which aired in July 2020, Sorensen explores Korean culture at Kimchi Guys, owned by Korean American Munsok So. Sorensen visits the flagship restaurant and was invited to meet So’s muse, So’s mother, at So’s parents’ home in Maryland Heights. The episode provides a clearer, richer insight into So’s background and culinary inspiration. Subsequent Food Is Love episodes follow a similar inquisitive path.
Sorensen’s laid-back style and insightful discussions proved to be a welcome respite from the more in-your-face food-based TV shows. The first two seasons aired on Nine Network, where the show found an audience and prompted a call for a third season. Production costs for PBS programs can be borne by the network or by the content provider; Sorensen opted for the latter, giving him full editorial control and guaranteeing that the content would remain St. Louis–based. Mirepoix was organized to help defray the production costs for the third season.
At the event, chefs featured in prior episodes will be on hand, cooking and mingling in support of Sorensen’s efforts. Several tasting areas will be positioned around the room and feature tastes from around the world, as well as several “shake and show” bar carts. Guests can expect a casual, active cocktail-style event, as opposed to a more formal seated dinner.
The chefs include, but are not limited to Munsok So of Kimchi Guys and Drunken Fish, Ben Poremba of Elaia and Olio, David Kirkland of Turn, Qui Tran of Nudo House and Mai Lee, Heidi Skye Hamamura of Taberu, Bernie Lee of Akar, Daniel Gonzalez and Maria Giamportone of Asador del Sur, Tyler Zimmer of Kaldi’s Coffee, Harry Parker of Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill, Loryn and Edo Nalic of Balkan Treat Box, Logan Ely of The Lucky Accomplice, and Caryn Dugan (a.k.a. STLVeg Girl) of the Center for Plant-Based Living.
Music will be provided by one of the featured chefs, Steve’s Hot Dogs owner Steve Ewing, who’s also the front man for local alt-rock band The Urge. Julie Chen Moonves, host of reality show Big Brother and an executive producer of Food Is Love, will also attend the event and explains the idea in the following video.
Individual tickets are available now on Eventbrite. Interested parties can make a direct donation as well. Click here for more information on tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities (one including a dinner with Chen and chef Sorensen).
A standard ticket ($125) includes all food and drink samples for the evening. VIP tickets ($225) also include a pre-event champagne reception with Chen and the chefs featured in the first two seasons of Food Is Love.
