Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry will host more than 50 of America’s top chefs - all members of the American Chefs Corps – at the U.S. Department of State on April 21 for a day of development in preparation for their work at the USA Pavilion at the Milan Expo 2015, which opens May 1.

The Milan Expo, which has as its theme “Feeding the Planet; Energy for Life,” revolves around the question of how the world will feed an estimated nine billion people in 2050 – sustainably and nutritiously. The USA Pavilion, entitled “American Food 2.0; United to Feed the Planet,” will highlight American innovation and leadership on global food issues - including food security and policy, science and technology, nutrition and health, and culinary culture.

During an evening reception, Secretary Kerry and the Department of State will recognize some of the chefs for their commitment to the advancement of diplomacy through the culinary arts.

The American Chef Corps, a network of more than 100 of America’s most renowned chefs, participates in programs both in the U.S. and abroad to foster cross-cultural exchange and to highlight American cuisine through the shared experience of food.

The Corps is part of the State Department’s broader Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, which was established in 2012 in cooperation with the James Beard Foundation. It is a public-private partnership that seeks to promote key American food exports, support the President’s Executive Order to increase international tourism, foster cross-cultural exchange through public diplomacy, and enhance formal diplomacy through collaboration with renowned American chefs.

This year, the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership is partnering with the Friends of the USA Pavilion at the Milan Expo. American Chef Corps chefs will travel to Milan to prepare regional U.S cuisines and discuss farm to table initiatives, food sustainability topics, and culinary innovation. The chefs will also promote U.S. agriculture products and tourism.