Carolyn Fath
A collaborative spirit is an inspiration for MACN Week.
The Madison Area Chefs Network (MACN) is gearing up for its next big event: a week of chef-centered events at participating restaurants slated for March 9-15, 2015.
It will be the second event for the new group, following last fall's successful inaugural YumYum Fest, a picnic-style tasting in Madison's new Central Park.
"MACN's a new group," notes Gilbert Altschul of Grampa's Pizzeria. "YumYum Fest was our first big project. It was very much our intention to do more."
Altschul became involved with the new group to be able to "work with more chefs" in the area, and that collaborative spirit is also the inspiration behind MACN Week.
Additionally, Altschul says, MACN Week is intended to help build sales in winter.
Altschul is part of the core group planning MACN Week, along with Tim and Elizabeth Dahl of Nostrano and Shinji Muramoto of Restaurant Muramoto. Isthmus is a media partner.
MACN formed in late 2013. Along with increasing awareness of Madison's restaurant scene by the national press and awards organizations such as the James Beard Foundation, it's a clear sign the city's dining culture is becoming more chef-driven.
Additional details about MACN Week should be available by mid-January.