Celebrate female chefs on Martha's Vineyard with The Iconoclast's 'The King is Dead' dinner experience.

The Iconoclast Dinner Experience made its highly-anticipated return to Martha's Vineyard on August 9th for the seventh annual "The King Is Dead" event. The evening was a celebration of women in the culinary industry and the island's agricultural community, bringing together chefs, winemakers, and cultural leaders. The event, presented by Target, was held at The FARM Institute, a 162-acre working farm and educational center located in Edgartown, Massachusetts.

The farm-to-table experience challenged participating chefs to source ingredients from Martha's Vineyard, placing importance on sustainability, seasonality, and local agriculture in the menu. Chef Ting, a culinary innovator and founder of Oak Bluffs-based Black Joy Kitchen, served as the host chef for the evening. Joining him was Chef Preston Clark, culinary director of Lure Fishbar and Bar Mercer in New York City, who served as the culinary chair.

Chefs-in-residence Monika Dominguez, chef de cuisine of Shiso in Miami, and India Doris, executive chef and co-owner of Markette in New York City, helped bring the dinner to life. Jahdé Marley, portfolio manager for Zev Rovine Selections in New York, led the wine experience. Internationally renowned painter Tschabalala Self served as the honorary chair, expanding the celebration of women beyond the culinary world and into the arts.

The dinner was part of a larger mission established by Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell, a board-certified pediatric dentist who founded The Iconoclast Dinner Experience 11 years ago with the goal of increasing visibility for diverse culinary and beverage professionals. According to Harvell, "For seven years, this dinner has brought together rising female chefs and Martha's Vineyard's farming community to create a celebration of place, seasonality, and innovation." The event also had a philanthropic aspect, with net proceeds supporting international students from Jamaica and sub-Saharan African countries attending Spelman College.

Through Harvell's leadership, the organization has raised over $150,000 for these students. The evening on Martha's Vineyard was a true embodiment of the event's broader mission, with food, farming, art, and philanthropy all coming together at one table. It was a beautiful and meaningful celebration, showcasing the best of what the island has to offer while supporting important causes.