Annie Gunn’s executive chef Lou Rook and wine director Glenn Bardgett have been invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York. The pair will prepare a meal for members of the James Beard Foundation and the media on October 23. This will be the second time that Rook and Bardgett have been invited to showcase their talents for the Beard Foundation. In 2007, they also prepared a multi-course meal at the famed Beard House in Hyde Park.

While details are still scant, Bardgett, also a wine columnist for Sauce and a 2011 James Beard Award semi-finalist in the category of Best Wine Service, told The Scoop that Rook’s meal will showcase Missouri food in season during October. As for the wine pairing, Bardgett stated, “My plan is to do Missouri gold medal wines” determined by this year’s state wine competition, to be held in August.

Talk of the James Beard Foundation is becoming a regular topic of conversation around town. Chef John Griffiths will be preparing a dinner at the Beard House on June 26, while Jim Fiala, chef-owner of Acero, Liluma and The Crossing, cooked there this past March.

— Photo by Jonathan S. Pollack