Art Conversation & Cocktails, à la francaise

General Public: $55; Joslyn Members: $45; advance registration required; walk-ins accepted as space allows.

Doors will open at 5:15 pm for program participants to access The Fountain Court and the Café Society: Art and Sociability in Paris, 1855-1914 exhibition.

Celebrate Café Society with delicious food, drink, and conversation. The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with an opportunity to mingle and enjoy conversation with music by Omaha Conservatory of Music and light refreshments chosen by Cedric Fichepain, Certified Executive Chef (CEC), and Clean Slate’s Chef Anna Hartman and Chef Dylan Thompson.

At 6 pm, Cedric Fichepain, CEC, will be in conversation with Taylor J. Acosta, PhD, Chief Curator & Director of Collections, about French food culture, cafes, and hospitality. The program includes a drink ticket, light bites, and exhibition admission.

Café Society: Art and Sociability in Paris, 1855–1914 is organized by Ordrupgaard, Copenhagen, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, and Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha.

About Cedric Fichepain

Cedric Fichepain was born in France, spent his high school years in Italy, and moved to the United States in 1997 after marrying Fremont, Nebraska native Desarae Mueller. He began his Omaha culinary career as Executive Chef of Farucci’s Restaurant in Omaha, which was named one of the city’s top ten restaurants within six months. In 2001, Cedric opened Le Voltaire French Restaurant, quickly establishing it as one of Omaha’s premier fine dining destinations. Renowned for its authentic French cuisine and award-winning wine program, Le Voltaire earned consistent top-ten recognition and annual Wine Spectator honors throughout his twenty years of ownership.

In 2021, Cedric sold Le Voltaire to his longtime chef and protégé, ensuring the restaurant’s legacy would continue. During his career, he has been featured in local and national publications and has helped raise more than $200,000 for area charities through fundraising events and auctions. Cedric was a part-time instructor at Metropolitan Community College’s Culinary Arts Institute for more than 10 years, where he mentors aspiring chefs. His honors include the Midland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Restauranteur of the Year, induction into the Omaha Restaurant Hall of Fame, and membership in the Honorable Golden Toque. He also serves as Honorary Consul for France in Nebraska.

Beyond Le Voltaire, Cedric founded Le Petit Paris French Bakery in 2013 and co-founded LPP Distribution, which commercialize a line of premium frozen artisan croissants, and Omaha Sourdough Company in 2024, bringing artisan sourdough breads and frozen sourdough pizzas to retail and wholesale markets. He and Desarae have three sons and continue to call Omaha, Nebraska, home.