Oberlin
- When
- April 14, 2025
- Where
-
Oberlin
266 Westminster St
Providence, RI
Join us at Oberlin for an exclusive 8-course tasting experience with New England Chefs paying homage to Jacques Pépin and French Cuisine in celebration of his 90th birthday. Participating chefs include Sky Haneul Kim (Gift Horse), Maria Meza (Dolores), Beau Vestal (New Rivers), Nikhil Naiker (NIMKI), Nick Gillespie (Dune Brothers Seafood), Chris Pfail (Oberlin), Melissa Denmark (Moonrose Farm), and Cassie Piuma (Sarma).
Highlights
- Enjoy a cocktail reception featuring HINE Cognac on the Oberlin Patio prior to dinner
- Claudine Pépin, JPF President, and Rollie Wesen, JPF Executive Director will be in attendance
- Specialty wine pairings in collaboration with Sonoma Coast winery Failla
- Your hosts/chefs will share the stories and secrets behind each course
Details
- 6:00 Champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception on the Oberlin Patio
- 7:00 Seating for 8-course Dinner
- For more information, please contact Oberlin or visit their website.
- Proceeds will support the Jacques Pépin Foundation. Your ticket purchase helps transform lives through culinary education, and we deeply appreciate your generous support.
- Jacques Pépin proudly supports our 90/90 Celebrations. While he can't be present at all of them, we invite you to check our website for details on the events where he will joining in celebration.
Event Host
Benjamin Sukle
Chef/owner Oberlin and Gift Horse
Benjamin Sukle is the acclaimed chef and owner of Oberlin and Gift Horse, two standout restaurants in Providence, Rhode Island that have earned national recognition for their innovative approach to New England cuisine.
Inspired by Rhode Island’s unique geography, Benjamin fell in love with the Ocean State’s proximity to farms and docks, and its tight-knit community of growers and fishermen. This connection to local ingredients became the heart of his culinary philosophy.
In 2016, Benjamin opened Oberlin, which quickly garnered national acclaim, including being ranked #7 on Bon Appétit’s Hot Ten Best New Restaurants list. Oberlin was also awarded 2 stars and named a Critics’ Choice by The New York Times in one of its rare out-of-city reviews, further solidifying its status as a culinary destination. Oberlin’s menu continues to celebrate the local bounty, with a focus on fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and the close relationships Benjamin has cultivated with local farmers, fishermen, and foragers.
Guest Chefs
Nicholas Gillespie
Chef/owner, Dune Brothers Seafood
Chef Nicholas Gillespie, a New England Culinary Institute graduate, worked in top Boston, Nantucket, and Portland, OR restaurants. In 2017, he founded Dune Brothers, a sustainable, fisheries-focused restaurant. Now with multiple locations, it showcases underutilized seafood. In 2023, he won Star Chef’s “Best Concept – Coastal New England” award.
Sky Haneul Kim
Chef, Gift Horse
Sky Haneul Kim, born in Asan, South Korea, honed her craft in top restaurants nationwide. She blends bold Korean flavors with fresh, local ingredients. A James Beard Semifinalist for “Best Emerging Chef” (2024) and “Best Chef Northeast” (2025), she now showcases her culinary voice at Gift Horse, highlighting Rhode Island’s produce and seafood.
Maria Meza
Chef/owner, Dolores
Chef Maria Meza, born in Oaxaca and raised in Puebla, migrated to Providence in 1992. After a decade in the jewelry industry, she opened El Rancho Grande in 2007, gaining recognition for her Mole Poblano. In 2019, she launched DOLORES, highlighting Mixteca flavors. In 2024, she was a James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: New England.
Nikhil Naiker
Chef, Nimki
Chef Nikhil Naiker, born in Fiji and raised in coastal California, graduated from Johnson & Wales University and established himself in Providence’s culinary scene. His project, Nimki (2024), earned a James Beard Emerging Chef nomination. Nimki operates at Courtland Club, with plans for a brick-and-mortar restaurant underway, showcasing Fijian Indian flavors through New England’s local produce.
Cassie Piuma
Chef/owner, Sarma
Cassie Piuma, a Johnson & Wales graduate, honed her skills at Al Forno, Sel de la Terre, and with Barbara Lynch. She spent 11 years at Oleana before opening Sarma in 2013. Sarma earned Boston Globe’s first 5-star review. A seven-time James Beard nominee, she was nominated for Outstanding Chef in 2025.
Images from the Event
Paige Harding
