MAG’s hoMAGe Culinary Series returns with an artful feast: Impressions of Impressionism
Rochester, NY, October 14, 2025—The Memorial Art Gallery’s hoMAGe Culinary Series returns this fall with Impressions of Impressionism, a one-night-only dining experience that blends art, wine, and gastronomy. The event takes place on Friday, November 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in MAG’s M&T Bank Ballroom.
Inspired by the exhibition Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum (on view November 2 – March 1), this immersive four-course meal invites guests to savor the colors, textures, and emotions of Impressionism—translated into exquisite dishes and thoughtfully paired wines.
The four-course menu celebrates the flavors of France through classic fare reimagined in the spirit of Impressionism—petite croque monsieur alongside a garden-fresh vegetable bisque shooter, an orange and fennel salad inspired by John Singer Sargent’s Oranges at Corfu, steak au poivre alongside coriander and honey-roasted tri-color carrots and potatoes boulangère, a Napoleon of sweet puff pastry with wild bush berries and decadent fresh crème légère, and more. Each course is artfully paired with French wines that complement the colors, textures, and moods of the meal.
Guests will journey through the meal and pairings alongside three special guests. Nancy Norwood, Curator of European Art at MAG, will offer insights into Frontiers of Impressionism and the movement that changed the course of art history. Bruce Smoller, wine expert, will guide guests through the evening’s pairings and explore the sensory parallels between wine and art. Chef Jim Rice, who has designed a menu inspired by the vibrancy and technique of Impressionist masterpieces, will speak about the cuisine.
Wine for the event is made available with support from Pinnacle Wine & Liquor. Tickets are $180 per person, and advance registration is required. Seating is limited. To learn more and register, visit https://mag.rochester.edu/event/homage-culinary-series-impressions-of-impressionism/
About the Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery showcases art from antiquity to the present day, including the outdoor public Centennial Sculpture Park. In addition to its permanent collection, MAG offers a year-round schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, after-hours social events, and family activities. Learn more at mag.rochester.edu