Four Centuries in the Making: Salem and Its New Sister City Toast 400 Years Across the Atlantic

SALEM, Mass. - Feb. 25, 2026 - PRLog -- This June, Salem pulls out all the stops for a milestone 400 years in the making. Food at 400+, produced by Salem Food Tours, is a city-wide cultural festival running June 11–22, 2026, honoring Salem's 400th anniversary with a free exhibit and historic house open houses, inspired dining, craft libations, film screenings, and a premiere event with celebrity chef Scott Conant.

The festival follows a landmark moment: in February 2026, Salem City Council voted to establish a sister city relationship with East Budleigh, England — birthplace of Roger Conant, the founder of Salem, MA, known as the peacemaker and community builder. Food at 400+ celebrates that full-circle story — and invites everyone to the table.

"Food at 400+ brings together so many threads I love about this city —a brand new Sister City across the Atlantic, a chef who carries Salem's founding family name, our amazing local restaurants and historic homes. It's an honor, and we hope everyone will enjoy this celebration."
— Karen Scalia, Producer, Food at 400+ and Founder, Salem Food Tours

Premiere Event: An Evening with Chef Scott Conant — June 13th

Award-winning celebrity chef Scott Conant — a 13th-generation direct descendant of Roger Conant — has been welcomed to Salem. "An Evening with Scott Conant" takes place Saturday, June 13th. All ticket proceeds fund Food at 400+ programming.  Tickets: eventbrite.com (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-chef-scott-c...)
"Salem isn't just a city I'm visiting — it's where my family's American story began. Taking part in this 400th anniversary, in the place Roger Conant first established, is deeply personal. I'm honored to share that connection through food."
— Chef Scott Conant

What's on the Menu
▸     FREE Exhibit at Old Town Hall (June 11–22) as well as free lectures and talks.
▸     FREE Historic House Open Houses (June 13–14, 11am–4pm)
▸     Restaurants Step Back in Time (June 11–22): over 16 participating restaurants feature historically inspired dishes or ingredients and cocktails on their specials menu.
▸     Sip Back in Time: Salem's award-winning local breweries, distilleries, and cideries pour historically inspired libations.
▸     Film Series at Cinema Salem (June 10th to June 20th): Food-themed films screen on Wednesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Ticketed event.
▸     Free Farm Visit (June 13, 9:30–11am): Complimentary trolley ride from Old Town Hall to Mack Park Farm for demos and a look at Salem's thriving urban agriculture community.

Food at 400+ also looks to the future, spotlighting Salem's work in food justice.

Admission: Free & paid/ticketed events
www.foodat400.com  |  info@foodat400.com