Chick-fil-A

Whether you source them from a local orchard, farmers market or your produce supplier, apples are a clutch ingredient for fall and winter menus. These restaurants are showing off the fruit in everything from classic apple pie to not-so-classic pizza pie.

History teaches that the decline of many ancient civilizations was in part due to non-renewable farming methods. Many modern farming methods appear to be similarly depleting our natural resources. At the same time, the world’s population is growing at an unprecedented pace. This raises serious questions about whether our present agricultural systems will be able to support this increase.

When the James Beard Foundation held its Silver Anniversary Gala at New York City’s Four Seasons restaurant in November, the guests were treated to a multi-course dinner cooked by five celebrated chefs: Alfred Portale, David Bouley, Tom Colicchio, Michel Richard and Daniel Humm.