New Jersey’s Hub City Opera and Dance has announced that it will present a “food meets opera” double bill.

The showcase, set for March 29 and 30, 2025, will feature Lee Hoiby’s “Bon Appétit” and the East Coast premiere of “The Cook-Off” by composer Shawn E. Okpebholo and librettist Mark Campbell. The former stars soprano Kaitlyn Waterson as Julia Child. The latter features the talents of Eric J. McConnell as host Kenny Kincaid, Alize Francheska Rozsnyai as the perky contestant Ivy Sweet, Ariel Andrew as the charismatic Kendra Smith, and New Jersey native Theron Cromer as Latino chef Alvaro Mendez.

“The Cook-Off” was commissioned by Chicago Opera Theater’s Vanguard Initiative and tells the story of three contestants competing to showcase the best mac and cheese on a fictional TV show. “Bon Appétit” brings a Julia Child episode to life.

“These operas demonstrate the power of opera to deal with contemporary subjects we can all relate to: food and TV,” said Hub City Opera’s Artistic Director, per New Jersey Stage. “Putting this into music and words that are so well crafted and touching will give our audiences an enthralling experience.”

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