As the lead organizer of Bon Appétit America!, The Food Capitals connects institutions, chefs, destinations, and cultural partners across France and the United States. The initiative reflects the network’s mission to build lasting relationships through gastronomy while highlighting food as a tool for diplomacy, innovation, and mutual understanding.
Visit Tucson is the official destination marketing organization for Tucson, Arizona, a city internationally recognized for its rich culinary heritage. In 2015, Tucson became the first city in the United States designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, honoring thousands of years of agricultural traditions, Indigenous foodways, and a vibrant multicultural food culture.
As current President of The Food Capitals network, Visit Tucson plays a leading role in Bon Appétit, America!. Through chef exchanges, storytelling, and cultural programming, Tucson brings an authentic perspective on American culinary heritage while strengthening international connections through food and hospitality.
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Recognized worldwide as one of the great capitals of gastronomy, Lyon combines a rich culinary heritage with a vibrant contemporary food scene. The city is also the birthplace and headquarters of The Food Capitals by Délice Network, reflecting its long-standing commitment to using food as a driver of culture, tourism, and international exchange.
Through its support of Bon Appétit America!, Lyon reaffirms its role as an international meeting place where gastronomy serves as a bridge between people, cultures, and communities.
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Maisons Bocuse carries forward the legacy of legendary chef Paul Bocuse, one of the most influential figures in modern gastronomy. Through its restaurants, events, and culinary initiatives, the organisation embodies excellence, craftsmanship, and the transmission of French culinary traditions to new generations.
For Bon Appétit America!, Maisons Bocuse welcomes Chef Mateo Cancio for a Franco-American culinary collaboration at Fond Rose - Bocuse, celebrating creativity, friendship, and cultural exchange. The partnership symbolizes the dialogue between two rich culinary traditions and underscores Lyon’s central role in international gastronomy.
Book your dinner at Fond Rose - Bocuse to enjoy an exceptional Bon Appétit America menu on July 1st 2026
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Located within the historic Grand Hôtel-Dieu, InterContinental Lyon is one of the city's most iconic hospitality destinations. Combining architectural heritage with contemporary luxury, the hotel has become a landmark venue for cultural, business, and culinary experiences in Lyon.
As part of Bon Appétit America!, the hotel hosts a special America250 Tea Time experience beneath its renowned Dome, from July 1st to July 8th, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Through collaboration with its pastry and beverage teams, InterContinental Lyon provides a unique setting where French and American culinary traditions can meet, creating memorable experiences for local and international guests alike.
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The U.S. Consulate General in Lyon advances diplomatic, economic, educational, and cultural relations between the United States and France. Serving a large region of southeastern France, the Consulate works to strengthen transatlantic partnerships and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.
Through its participation in Bon Appétit America!, the Consulate highlights the important role cultural diplomacy and culinary exchange play in fostering international friendships.
La Fabuleuse Cantine is a pioneering social enterprise that combines gastronomy, sustainability, and social impact. Committed to reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption, the organization creates meals using locally sourced, seasonal, and often rescued ingredients while supporting inclusive and environmentally conscious food systems.
For Bon Appétit, America!, La Fabuleuse Cantine collaborates with Chef Mateo Cancio to create a signature Franco-American dish for the U.S. Consulate’s Independence Day celebration. The partnership reflects shared values of sustainability, innovation, and community engagement through food.
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Jess Smith is a food writer, recipe developer, and the creator of Inquiring Chef, a platform dedicated to approachable home cooking and culinary storytelling. Through her recipes and content, she helps audiences discover new ingredients, cultures, and food traditions. After living in Thailand, where she developed a deep interest in global food cultures, Jess now lives in Lyon, France, where she continues to write, teach, and share culinary stories.
As part of Bon Appétit America!, Jess Smith will follow Chef Mateo's journey in Lyon, highlighting the culinary exchanges between Lyon and Tucson and the role of food in bringing cultures together.
