Join us at the newly-imagined Bistro Polaris for a special evening with Estate Chef John Korycki and cookbook author and founder of the Italian fine food importer Manicaretti, Rolando Beramendi, as they share their passion for seasonally-inspired food based on tradition, made simple and delicious.

Your culinary experience begins at 6 PM with a meet and greet featuring our special guest, who will share the inspiration behind his cookbook, AUTENTICO: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way.

A wine-paired dinner follows at 7 PM, where local ingredients from area farms, creameries, and more will take center stage.

Chef JK and Rolando met in 2002 at an Italian wine tasting in Kansas City. They quickly became friends after sharing their passion for Italy and its culinary traditions. In 2003 Rolando gave Chef JK his first "farm-to-table, zero-kilometer" dining experience at Da Delfina, a restaurant located in a small hamlet west of Florence. This pivotal meal played a significant role in the trajectory of Chef JK's culinary career.

Rolando Beramendi founded the Italian fine food importer, Manicaretti, specializing in importing and distributing artisan gourmet foods from Italy since 1987. Today, the company's name is recognized as a seal of guarantee for the best Italian pantry items available in the industry, supplying stores and restaurants across the country.

An industry-renowned tastemaker, Rolando has had a profound impact on American food. His products, cooking classes, and culinary expertise have been praised by luminaries such as Ina Garten, Alice Waters, Thomas Keller, Nancy Silverton, and many more. He splits his time between New York, San Francisco, and Florence.

Rolando's cookbook, AUTENTICO: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way, is an insider's glimpse into the Italian farms and kitchens where Rolando learned to cook authentically. Included are 120 recipes and a serving of his philosophy: "Start with the very best pantry items, buy what is fresh and in season, and make dishes the way they are meant to be, simple and delicious."

Check out this video for a preview of Rolando and the philosophy at the heart of his cookbook and import company.

This will be the first time Rolando will visit northern Michigan, so help us welcome him by getting your tickets today!

View the menu here.