A distinctive dinner series where chefs and food purveyors join guests at the table, sharing a multi-course meal that fosters cultural exchange, culinary craft, and connection
The cultural platform AuthenticFood.com®, founded by sociologist and cultural curator Janna Tamargo, PhD, announces the debut of The Authentic Table — an intimate dinner series where celebrated chefs and food purveyors lead guests through an evening steeped in story, culture, and craft. The inaugural event will be held on September 18, 2025, at Prati Italia in Jacksonville, Florida, featuring guest Chef Kenny Gilbert with a menu rooted in Italian culinary traditions, reimagined through his distinctive perspective.
At The Authentic Table, the chef or food purveyor joins guests at the table for the entire evening. For this debut, Gilbert has designed the menu to be executed by Chef Tom Gray and his team at Prati Italia. With fewer than 15 guests gathered around the table, the series creates a rare opportunity to share a multi-course meal in the chef’s company, fostering an intimate exchange of heritage, expertise, and perspective. Celebrated for his globally influenced cuisine grounded in Southern traditions, Gilbert embraces the opportunity to slow down, connect directly with diners, and provide insight into the inspirations, ingredients, and techniques that shape each dish.
“The Authentic Table is about creating a living archive of presence and storytelling,” says Tamargo. “Kenny’s ability to weave elegance, approachability, and layered flavors into his food makes him the perfect chef to launch this special series. Each dinner also empowers chefs to reclaim agency of their culinary voice, defining the tone and flow of the evening on their own terms.”
Born in Jacksonville, Tamargo grew up immersed in the food culture of her hometown — and Prati Italia holds special meaning for her. Hosting the inaugural dinner at the restaurant connects the series to her roots, with respected local chef and restaurateur Tom Gray — a two-time James Beard Award nominee with many other awards to his name, whose restaurants Prati Italia and Town Hall have helped shape Jacksonville’s dining scene — providing the perfect setting for this intimate gathering.
A celebrated chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author, Gilbert first rose to national recognition on Top Chef before going on to cook for icons like Oprah Winfrey, lead award-winning Ritz-Carlton kitchens as the youngest African-American executive chef in the brand’s history, and earn accolades for his Southern-rooted, globally inspired cuisine.
“I love the idea of sharing a meal in such an intimate setting where the stories behind the dishes are just as important as the flavors on the plate,” says Gilbert. “This menu gave me the chance to explore Italian traditions through my lens — balancing refined technique with approachability, and creating moments that connect people through food.”
The evening will begin with hors d’oeuvres, including:
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Crispy Chicken Livers
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House-Made Ricotta with fig jam, crostini, and chervil
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Mini Supplì Bites with Son & Skye mushrooms and Calabrian chili aioli
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Compressed Cantaloupe with verjus & honey, mascarpone and prosciutto
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Melon & Burrata
The dinner features:
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Burrata with compressed honeydew melon, Parma prosciutto, pistachio gremolata, local cress, organic balsamic vinegar, and ciabatta toast
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Bronzino Filet with seared Roman artichoke heart, salsa verde, charred lemon, lemon aioli, and Calabrian chili crunch
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Lobster Cassarecce with roasted fennel Pernod cream, truffle bread crumbs, caviar, and lobster knuckles
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Braised Lamb Neck with Rancho Gordo gigante beans, herb salad, and crispy garlic crumble
To close the evening, dessert and after-dinner offerings will be created by Jacksonville’s own Chef Rebecca Reed, celebrated pastry talent and Food Network Chopped Sweets Champion. Known for her whimsical style, bold flavors, and nationally recognized desserts, Reed will present an Espresso Mocha Martini with cappuccino crema and rose petals, followed by an Amaretto–Pear Tarte with honey and fennel pollen.
Future Authentic Table events will welcome chefs from across the country, each sharing their heritage, craft, and personal stories at the table. The next dinner is planned for New York City, with additional cities to follow — continuing the series’ mission to create meaningful culinary experiences that connect identity, memory, and place.
Event Details
Date: September 18, 2025
Location: Prati Italia, Jacksonville, FL
Tickets: https://www.authenticfood.com/event-details/the-authentic-table-1
Follow for updates on social: @authenticfoodinsta
Availability: Limited seats, please check the ticket site
About AuthenticFood.com®
Founded by Janna Tamargo, PhD, AuthenticFood.com® is a cultural platform exploring the enduring meaning of “authentic” food through fieldwork, storytelling, and immersive experiences. Through chef collaborations, curated dinners, and editorial features, AuthenticFood.com preserves culinary stories that bridge identity and heritage. The platform has featured celebrated voices in the culinary world—from chefs and purveyors to food entrepreneurs and cultural storytellers—sharing their craft, traditions, and the rich narratives that shape the meals we remember.
About Chef Kenny Gilbert:
Chef Kenny Gilbert is a nationally recognized culinary leader known for bringing soulful flavors and refined Southern cuisine to the table. In Jacksonville, he has helmed acclaimed restaurants including Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen, Gilbert’s Social, and Silkies Chicken and Champagne Bar. Most recently, he launched his franchise concept, House of Birds and Drop Biscuits, at Regatta Grove in Coconut Grove. Today, Gilbert serves as Vice President of Culinary Operations for Grove Bay Hospitality, where he is opening concession restaurants across the U.S. and managing a portfolio of street-side concepts throughout Miami and Las Vegas. His career reflects both entrepreneurial vision and operational leadership, making him one of the most dynamic voices in modern American cuisine. For more information about Kenny, visit www.chefkennygilbert.com