by Kristen Wile

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, a group of culinary powerhouses in Charlotte will unite to serve a single meal reminding us how the city progressed to where it is today.

Founders Feast, hosted by Piedmont Culinary Guild (with some support from us), will highlight some of the chefs and farmers who helped shift Charlotte from a steakhouse city to one with a thriving local food scene.

Longtime Charlotte foodies will recognize the names of chefs serving a course in the plated meal — Majid Amoorpour, Gene Briggs, Tim Groody, Adam Reed, Fran Scibelli, and Bruce Moffett — and how their restaurants paved the way for so many of the restaurants opening today.

Yet in a city growing as quickly as ours, memories become shorter, and it is easy to take for granted the farmers market fare available both in our homes and at our restaurants.

Founders Feast will be a celebration and show of gratitude for the efforts of the chefs and farmers who changed the way we eat — those who made it possible to source seafood that had never been frozen and enjoy tomatoes just hours off the vine. Many of the city’s best-known chefs will cook passed appetizers at the dinner as a show of respect to those who came before them, including Jamie Barnes, Ashley Boyd, Chris Coleman, Greg Collier, Shai Fargian, Jon Fortes, Joe Kindred, Jamie Lynch, Ben Philpott, and Alyssa Wilen.

It’s hard to imagine a more robust lineup of Charlotte chefs all contributing to one meal. We can’t wait to show up and show our gratitude (and enjoy a memorable meal).

​Tickets are on sale now. We’ll see you there.

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