On February 5, the More than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories campaign hosted an industry lunch in Nashville, Tennessee, in collaboration with StarChefs. Held at the Henrietta Red restaurant, the chef-driven experience welcomed 55 of Nashville’s leading food and beverage professionals.
The immersive three-hour experience showcased 27 food and beverage products from 17 European Union (EU) Member States across seven categories, with EU quality and authenticity labels - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Organic certification – strongly represented. From artisanal cheeses and cured meats to olive oil, honey, lentils, fruit, and wines, the curated menu demonstrated both Europe’s heritage and its contemporary relevance for American kitchens.
Framing the experience
The event opened with remarks from Nicole Borden, Managing Director of StarChefs, who emphasized the importance of connecting chefs directly with high-quality ingredients and the stories behind them.
Silke Boger, Counselor for Agriculture at the EU Delegation of the European Union, followed by highlighting the mission of the More than Food campaign: to showcase Europe’s culinary diversity, protected origins, and longstanding commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability.
A chef-led exploration of European ingredients
The family-style lunch was crafted by Chefs Julia Sullivan and Eric Parmelee, who introduced each course tableside. They shared the inspiration behind the dishes and explained how European ingredients, from PDO cheeses (Halloumi PDO, Comté PDO, Feta PDO, Fiore Sardo PDO, Queijo S. Jorge PDO) and PGI charcuterie (Jambon de Bayonne PGI) to specialty mustards, lentils, and wines, shaped both flavor and technique. Direct sampling moments encouraged guests to taste products individually before experiencing them within composed dishes, reinforcing how heritage ingredients can be reinterpreted for modern American menus.
Throughout the lunch, attendee reactions reflected genuine discovery. Many expressed surprise at the diversity of origins represented, particularly wines from Bulgaria (Тракийска низина (Thracian Valley) PGI) and Slovenia (Štajerska Slovenija PDO). Others were impressed by the quality and character of individual ingredients - the creaminess of Belgian goat cheese, the distinctive beauty of Austrian Alp Blossom cheese, the texture of French lentils (Lentille Verte du Puy PDO), and the balance of German organic forest honey, Portuguese olive oil (Azeite de Trás-os-Montes PDO), Slovakian mustard and Croatian sea salt. Protected designations resonated strongly, with several guests noting their appreciation for PDO products and the craftsmanship they signify. Overall, feedback highlighted a shared sentiment: European food and beverages offer far more breadth and versatility than many professionals initially expect.
Inspiring future menus
By combining culinary storytelling, certification education, and direct engagement with premium ingredients, the Nashville event delivered on its objective - to inspire chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage professionals to rediscover Europe as a source of quality, diversity, and innovation.
The presence of Ton van Arnhem, Agricultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Netherlands, underscored the collaborative European support behind the initiative: “As Europeans, we are proud to share not only the diversity and quality of our food and beverages, but also the stories and traditions behind them. This campaign is a wonderful opportunity to connect with American industry leaders, inspire creativity, and show that European ingredients can bring new dimensions to the American table.”
Once again, the campaign’s collaboration with StarChefs demonstrated the value of engaging directly with the professionals shaping America’s dining landscape. Building on this momentum, the More than Food campaign will continue bringing European excellence to key culinary markets across the United States.
The More than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories 2026 upcoming events for food & beverage professionals include
Star Chefs Industry Lunch – February 24, 2026 - Houston, TX
Vinexpo Miami – April 29-30, 2026, Miami, FL
National Restaurant Association Show – May 16-19, 2026, Chicago, IL
Bar Convent – June 9-10, 2026, New York, NY
For more information about the campaign, please check and follow us on:
Instagram: @MorethanfoodUS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/more-than-food-us/
Email: morethanfood_US@agripromotion.eu
Website: more-than-food-us.campaign.europa.eu
Podcast series: European Tasty Tales | Podcast on Spotify
EU Delegation to the United States: @euintheus
