A First Look at the 2026 Music Maker Foundation Fundraiser Dinner Menu
The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is more than just music—it’s community, culture, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This year, the annual Fundraiser Dinner for the Music Maker Foundation returns on Thursday, September 17, and below is a first taste of what’s to come.
The dinner features an extraordinary menu crafted by Eliza Gavin, the celebrated chef behind Telluride’s beloved 221 South Oak and a competitor on Bravo’s Top Chef. Known for her seasonal approach and globally inspired flavors, Chef Gavin has designed a multi-course experience that complements the evening’s musical component.
“I am proud to cater this event for the 8th year. This year, we’re serving an elevated menu designed to pair perfectly with Blues & Brews. Join us for an unforgettable evening of great food, music, and community—all in support of a great cause.”
— Chef Eliza Gavin
2026 Menu
The evening begins with an elegant canapé reception:
Grilled Corn with Duck Confit Tamales
Chinese Five Spice Pork and Sweet Potato Wontons
Chicken Liver Mousse Stuffed Profiteroles
Acorn Squash with Walnut Muhammara, Mint and Manchego
Speck Wrapped Scallops with Spicy Honey
Guests will then move into a series of beautifully composed dishes, including:
Shaved Cabbage with Brie and Pecan-Crusted Bacon, served with grilled focaccia
Beef Tenderloin with Potato Pavé, Arugula, Horseradish Crema and Blackberry Jus
Seared Tuna with Black Rice Zucchini Cake, Roasted Radish and Miso Coulis
The meal will finish with an elegant dessert:
Lemon Meringue Tartlets
Triple Chocolate Cakes
Salted Caramel Macarons
Strawberry Pate de Fruits
The evening kicks off with a champagne reception followed by an intimate solo performance from Terry "Harmonica" Bean—a master of traditional blues.
After dinner, the experience continues with a full-band performance led by Albert White alongside the Music Maker Blues Revue, bringing a high-energy close to the evening and celebrating the enduring legacy of American roots music.
Event Details
Thursday, September 17
5:00–9:00 PM
$500 (tax-deductible as a charitable contribution)
Hosted by the Telluride Blues Society, this special evening supports the vital work of the Music Maker Foundation, helping preserve and promote the legacy of American roots music.
Tickets
With a world-class menu, intimate live performances, and a meaningful cause at its core, this dinner is truly one of the most unique experiences of the festival weekend.
Tickets and additional details—including artist announcements—will be released soon. Stay tuned, and prepare for an unforgettable night where food, music, and culture come together in perfect harmony.
About The Artists
Albert White
Albert White, an Atlanta native, grew up playing behind his uncle Piano Red, carrying forward a high-energy, funky R&B tradition. With his band The Rockers, he’s performed across the Southeast since the 1960s, sharing stages with legends like Ray Charles and Rufus Thomas.
Terry "Harmonica" Bean
Terry “Harmonica” Bean was on track to be a baseball star until a serious motorcycle accident changed his fate. Already musically adept, he shifted gears and honed his chops on harmonica and guitar. What he’s created is a mesmerizing hill country sound, a style he explains is different than the Mississippi Delta blues of his home state. “The Mississippi Delta guys, they sat still to play. They played in open tuning. They used picks, they used the slide in between picks. The hill country guys, they used the whole porch, the floor, everything played. They played a lot in a weird tuning.” This is what we’ll be witnessing – the whole porch.