Stefano Secchi of Rezdôra in New York City. Credit: Kevin Sikorski (Kevin Sikorski ,Kevin Sikorski)
Secchi’s New York City Rezdôra garnered a Michelin star for its evocatively named pastas, such as “Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia.” Lagasse is well-known, of course, for his long-running Food Network shows, New Orleans and national restaurant empires, and a line of cooking products. Gourdet, a two-time “Top Chef” finalist and cookbook author, showcases African and Caribbean flavors at his live-fire restaurant Kann. Zepeda, also a “Top Chef” contestant, taps her experiences traveling throughout Mexico for all her concepts, including her latest lounge in San Diego, Leu Leu.
Chef Gregory Gourdet of Kann in Portland, Ore. (Eva Kosmas Flores,Eva Kosmas Flores)
In addition to preparing, with Kaysen’s team, a full tasting dinner and a shorter bar menu, each chef will speak with leadership coach Alison Arth in a “Dialogue” at the American Swedish Institute.
Kaysen launched the Synergy Series in 2015 as both a collaborative event with other high-profile chefs and a fundraiser for charitable causes, raising more than $300,000 over the past decade. The 2025 events will raise money for Second Harvest Heartland.
Reservations for the full tastings are $495 and include beverage pairings, tax and gratuity. Bookings will become available on the first of the month ahead of each event. (Big spenders can buy a season pass starting at noon on Feb. 17 for $2,500 per person, which includes the full tasting menu, beverage pairings, tax, gratuity, a special gift at each dinner and tickets to each Dialogue.)
The bar and lounge seatings are $195 and can be reserved two weeks in advance, with some walk-in availability.
Dialogue tickets are released on the first of the month prior to the chef appearances and are $10.