Let Them Eat Art!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

6-8 pm

Let Them Eat Art is sold out as of 1/20/26

See the 2026 Chef Lineup below! Check back often for updates!

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free option will be served at Let Them Eat Art. We, of course, encourage everyone to attend, but if you have dietary restrictions, please take this into account when attending this event.

Category: Sweet

Wishflour Bakery

Baker Marcey Mertens

The story of Wishflour Bakery spans more than 13 years. Owner and dessert designer Marcey Mertens has been baking her entire life. From chocolate cake made in the kitchen with her mom as a child to first-day-of-school cookies for her own kids, wedding desserts for her niece, to special celebration treats for her friends and family. ​Besides finding and experimenting with new desserts and flavors, one of her favorite things to do is to encourage people to live their best, inspired life.

Category: Savory

City Cuisine

Chef Nathan Lehr

Nathan Lehr is the Culinary Manager of City Cuisine, a global fusion food truck owned and operated by local non-profit City of Refuge, whose mission is serving and empowering refugees through relational care. When City of Refuge opened City Cuisine last year, they did so with the goal of preparing refugees for the possibility of entering the culinary workforce in America. This initiative has three main objectives:

• To provide the training and experience needed to successfully enter kitchens across the city.

• To equip entrepreneurial refugees with the skills to launch their own restaurants and share their cuisine on a larger scale, while also providing them with business acumen and managerial experience.

• To offer part-time employment and supplemental income as needed.

City Cuisine serves a rotating menu of flavors from around the world—including some fused with American favorites! You can find City Cuisine at 10 N Garth Ave or take advantage of their new catering menu for your next event.

Café Poland

Chefs Antoine De Los Santos and Madison De Los Santos

With a shared passion for artistry, epicurean delight, and a commitment to hospitality, Antoine De Los Santos and Madison Tasker form an exceptional partnership when it comes to curating a one-of-a-kind experience. Both bring a wealth of knowledge, having honed their skills in renowned restaurants and five-star, five-diamond hotels in Las Vegas before embarking on their latest venture: Café Poland.

Their journey took a significant leap forward when they had the privilege of training under Polish chef and former owner of Café Poland, Iwona Galijska. Under her mentorship, they not only mastered her traditional family recipes but also deepened their appreciation for Polish cuisine, gaining insights into innovative techniques and the art of creating memorable dining experiences.

The Bistro at Les Bourgeois

Chef John Marino

Originally from Weldon Springs, Missouri, Marino moved to Columbia to study music before heading out to NYC to serve as Chef de Cuisine at Butcher Bar in NYC. He has been invited to cook at The James Beard House in Manhattan and was also the winner of the NYC Food & Wine Festival BBQ Event.

After his stint in New York, Marino returned to Columbia, where he was the head chef at Cafe Berlin before going to work at The Bistro at Les Bourgeois. Marino's grandmother instilled a love of cooking at a young age. Cooking was the family’s love language and a cornerstone of gatherings. "I think the act of making something for other people that nourishes them is a very kind and caring thing to do,” Marino said.

Marino finds creative fulfillment in cooking, “It allows me to indulge my curiosities." In addition to cooking, Marino plays in the bands Mary & The Giant and Bad Names, enjoys painting and “bothering” his loving partner, Paula, and their two pets."

SMALL CIRCLE HARVEST

Chef Lexi Linsenman

Lexi is a chef, dietitian, and farmer in Columbia, MO. 

She and her husband, Tanner, practice regenerative agriculture at their farm, Small Circle Harvest. They sell beef, meat chickens, and eggs. She likes to educate others on their farming practices as well as provide recipes and talk about the health benefits of eating nutrient-dense food and knowing where your food comes from. You eat with your eyes first, and Lexi loves creating beautiful dishes from her farm and the farms around her!

La Bruja

Chef Louis Marrero

Chef Louis Marrero is the culinary alchemist behind La Bruja COMO, bringing over 25 years of kitchen experience to his bold, Latin-inspired creations. Rooted in Puerto Rican and Latin flavors, his cooking blends tradition with modern street-food flair—transforming simple ingredients into unforgettable, spellbinding dishes. His mission is to serve food that brings people together, one magical bite at a time.

Peach Tree Catering

Chef Ben Randolph

Ben Randolph, Peach Tree Catering's Executive Chef, is a Columbia native and certified Chef de Cuisine with the American Culinary Federation. With over 25 years of professional experience in the food and beverage industry, he's been the recipient of multiple awards for his talents with food and wine.

Category: Cocktail

The VAULT

Mixologists ALLie Crow and Maddie Ramsey

You can find Allie behind the bar of Glenn's Cafe, where she is the Bar Manager. Allie has a talent for creativity and enjoys making fun flavors come to life through the art of mixology. She has curated the specialty cocktail offerings at Glenn's Cafe and maintains the restaurant's award-winning wine selection as a certified sommelier. Visit her at the bar for some of Glenn's famous Cajun comfort food or fresh oysters on the half-shell with the perfect wine pairing!

Maddie began working at Voco The Tiger Hotel back in 2017 as a host in Glenn's Cafe. She quickly grew to love the fast-paced restaurant atmosphere and worked through server and bartender positions into management. Now, as the Director of Food and Beverage for the hotel, Maddie works passionately to create memorable guest experiences. Whether you grab dinner and drinks at Glenn's Cafe or Twain: Missouri BBQ & Taproom, enjoy a nightcap in Vault, or even attend a catered event in the Grand Ballroom of Voco The Tiger Hotel, Maddie is behind the scenes to make sure it is an experience you will remember.