The Blacksmith’s very own Chef Gavin McMichael will be participating in the 2009 Sagebrush Classic.  His assignment, along with 17 other outstanding chefs, to pick one of Deschutes Brewery’s adventurous craft beers and create a dish that pairs with it perfectly. For the average home cook, this might prove challenging. But for these chefs, it’s a piece of cake. Or, perhaps it’s a huckleberry white chocolate spice tart with toasted vanilla meringue.

That’s what chef Gavin McMichael of The Blacksmith will be pairing with The Abyss at the 21st annual Sagebrush Classic Feast on July 18. Other pairings include chef José Andrés’ “Not your everyday Caprese salad” with Green Lakes Organic Ale and chef Roberto Donna’s combination of La Fleur Ale and Lobster salad with fava beans, string beans, roasted beets and salsa verde topped with baby arugula.

The chefs are not paid to take part in the event. So what is it about the Sagebrush Classic that attracts so many culinary all-stars?

The secret is, it’s the other Chefs. “Even stars get star-struck. When top chefs have an opportunity to rub elbows with their peers in a beautiful location for a worthy cause, you don’t have to ask them twice,” says Gavin McMichael, chef of The Blacksmith, which was named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 100 Restaurants.

McMichael will be joining top chefs this year at Sagebrush, including:

José Andrés – chef/owner of THINKfoodGROUP – Washington, DC
This internationally recognized culinary innovator best known for bringing both traditional and avant-garde Spanish fare to America. Andrés is the host of José: Made in Spain, the first major television series on American television to focus on Spain’s wine, food and travel.

Mark Kiffin – The Compound Restaurant – Santa Fe, NM
Widely hailed as a leader in Southwestern cuisine, Chef Mark Kiffin was named James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef of the Southwest” in 2005 and he has been recognized in Gourmet magazine’s “Guide to America’s Best Restaurants.”

Jennifer Jasinski – Rioja – Denver, CO
If Larimer Square is Denver’s dining destination, consider Chef Jennifer Jasinski its star. Jasinski has appeared on CBS’s “Chef on a Shoestring” and the Food Network’s “Challenge: Ultimate Thanksgiving Feast.” “Critics and diners are raving about Panzano’s take on Italian,” says USA Today.

Robert Donna – Galileo, Laboratorio – Washington, DC
Chef Donna is a James Beard award-winning chef and has frequently appeared on television, including two appearances on “Iron Chef” on the Food Network.

See the complete 2009 Sagebrush Classic Chef Line-Up.

Get your tickets to the Sagebrush Classic today!