Chef Todd English launches Whitefish food festival to put Montana resort town on culinary map
An under-the-radar Rocky Mountains resort town – with a name traditionally associated with a New York deli staple – is poised to land on the culinary map, at least that’s the hope of famed chef Todd English.Whitefish, a boomtown in northwest Montana, has become a magnet filled with one-percenters and celebrities looking to escape the show-and-tell vibe of glam ski areas like Aspen.Last week, English welcomed some of the nation’s best up-and-coming chefs and foodies to the scenic village, about 30 minutes from Glacier National Park, as he launched the inaugural Whitefish Food and Wine Festival.“There’s a real food culture here,” English, a four-time James Beard award winner, told Side Dish.“Chefs come here after working for Jean-Georges [Vongerichten], Daniel [Boulud] and Eric Ripert.”Boulud and Ripert are also slated to visit Whitefish in November to helm separate events that are part of the “Modernist Dinner Series” — held by the Culinary Institute of Montana based at Flathead Valley Community College.Ripert’s dinner is set for Nov.1 dinner, while Boulud’s will be one on Nov.
15.The fact that chef royalty like Ripert and Boulud “are coming here is pretty amazing.I love these guys.
They are always giving back,” said English, adding that he also plans to teach some classes at the culinary school. Whitefish gained popularity during the pandemic as wealthy folks, especially from California and Texas, bought second homes in the area.
Seasonal residents include singer John Mayer, comedian Dave Chappelle and NFL legend Drew Brees.One of Whitefish’s allures is that “you don’t see a lot of corporate entities,” said Andy Blanton, the culinary institute’s executive chef, who also participated in the Whitefish festival.“There are a lot of locally owned restaurants.It’s a resort destination in summer and winter, and more people are discovering its charm, which includes legitimate chefs and restaurant operations that have div...