Why 4-14 ?

“…because Americans don’t realize that the French can play music and the French don’t know Americans can cook …”

After the extraordinary success of the first annual 4-14 Festival, The City of Dijon will once again host this popular event in July 2010. For three days world class chefs and internationally acclaimed musicians from France and the gastronomically and musically renowned city of New Orleans, will share their artistic passions with brilliance and generosity during concerts, tastings and demonstrations all centered around “le Marché”, the beautiful 19th century steel and glass structure built by Gustave Eiffel, Dijon’s native son.

Chefs
Musicians

The 4-14 Festival : “A recipe for success”

The history: Alex Miles, the best known American resident of Dijon, culinary/cultural agitator and bon vivant, wanted to connect the Americans and the French through his two passions, food and music. The 4-14 Festival joins together the spirit of July 4th (Independence Day) and July 14th (Bastille Day). These framing dates are at the core of the festival which celebrates France and America, Music and Cuisine ! -Why? -“…because Americans don’t know that the French can play music and the French don’t think Americans can cook!”-Visitors from around the world will wander from stand to stand and appreciate the culinary specialties of these fine chefs while concerts and musical performances are played all throughout the city center. The gastronomical exchanges between the chefs and the public reveal how much the culture of food is shared on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2009, the dozens of participating chefs and musicians were expecting 5,000 visitors… but to everyone’s great surprise and pleasure 15,000 festival goers came and contributed to the phenomenal success of the first annual 4-14 Festival.

This Year in Dijon

Twenty four of the finest American and French chefs, assisted by the culinary students of the Hotel Schools of Burgundy, will show off their “savoir-faire” and creativity. More than 20,000 three star tastings priced at only 3€ each will be offered to the hungry public. The cobblestone streets of the city center will be rocked by the sounds of Jazz, Cajun, Funk and Zydeco music performed by internationally known groups from New Orleans and France. Live, televised cooking demonstrations will be conducted by several French and American chef duos hosted the by French TV personality, Babette de Rozières.-A new addition to the Festival this year is a Charity Dinner and Concert to benefit the Food Banks of Burgundy and New Orleans. All five 3 Michelin starred chefs of Burgundy will prepare this unique dinner accompanied by American chefs. The team effort for this exceptional meal will be animated by interludes of exceptional classical music.