Birmingham’s La Fête has always felt like a love letter to France—and this July, its chef is taking that letter all the way to New York.
Kristen Hall, the chef behind La Fête—a Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning French bistro and wine bar—has been invited to headline a Bastille Day dinner at Platform by the James Beard Foundation, the Foundation’s state-of-the-art show kitchen located inside Pier 57’s Market 57 food hall in Manhattan. The invitation places her alongside James Beard Award winners, nominees, and some of the most celebrated culinary voices in the country.
(Caleb Chancey/Contributed)
It is a significant moment for Birmingham’s food community—and a well-earned one.
A James Beard Award semifinalist in the highly competitive Best Chef: South category, Hall has built La Fête into something quietly remarkable: a neighborhood bistro that balances rich, classical French technique with unexpected, savory interpretations of refined French pastry. But the magic of La Fête doesn’t come from the food alone—though the flavors and techniques are extraordinary. It comes from the full experience: the sights, the sounds, and the rhythms of a deeply thoughtful and curated space.
“Creating a space of hospitality—that’s not just about food,” Hall says. “It’s about the way you make a person feel.”
That philosophy came into sharpest focus last Bastille Day, when Hall says La Fête became something more than a restaurant. “From that moment on, La Fête became herself,” she says. It’s a feeling she now carries to one of the most prestigious culinary stages in the country.
For the one-night-only dinner, Hall will craft a multi-course menu inspired by the spirit of Parisian dining, each course paired with French wines. Guests can expect a cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres on arrival, followed by an evening of elegance and a Q&A with Hall to close.
The dinner takes place July 14 at Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue, New York. Tickets range from $185 to $250 depending on seating and are available through the James Beard Foundation website.
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Dining and Cooking