March 25, 2024
Top chefs join fundraising dinner at Supperland
Charlotte Family Meal will raise funds for Giving Kitchen
By Samantha Husted
Eight courses, eight different Charlotte chefs: Whoever said there were too many cooks in the kitchen certainly wasn’t talking about this event. Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance to food service workers in crisis, is hosting a fundraising dinner aptly titled Charlotte Family Meal.
(Disclosure: Editor Kristen Wile is on the Giving Kitchen community engagement council. )
The multi-course dinner will be held at Supperland on April 29, featuring dishes prepared by eight local Charlotte chefs, a cocktail reception, wine pairings from 3 Keys Wine Distributors, and an auction that includes in-home chef experiences.
“We’re honored to support this event by hosting it at Supperland,” says Jeff Tonidandel, co-owner of host restaurant Supperland. “To see all these incredible Charlotte chefs working together to make a difference for food service workers is inspiring. It gives hope that we can lift up those who need it most.”
Since their expansion into North Carolina from their original hub in Atlanta, Giving Kitchen has donated $434,415 in financial aid and connected 1,068 food service workers to their Stability Network community resources. Through financial support and a network of community resources, Giving Kitchen is able to help industry workers who have fallen on tough times be it illness, injury, a death in the family, or a housing disaster. Events like Charlotte Family Meal are the backbone of their organization.
Charlotte Family Meal will host familiar Charlotte chefs, each preparing a locally inspired dish.
The roster includes Alyssa Wilen (Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen); Andres Kaifer (Customshop); Chris Coleman (The Goodyear House, Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails, Haymaker); Chris Rogienski (Supperland); Greg Collier (Leah & Louise, Uptown Yolk); Sam Diminich (Restaurant Constance); Sam Hart (Counter-); and Sam Ward (Wentworth & Fenn).
“When chefs team up to make a difference for food service workers, it sends a powerful message of solidarity,” says Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, the founder of Giving Kitchen. “It shows that we are not alone in the challenges we face, and that there is a community of compassionate individuals who are ready to lend a helping hand.”
Tickets are on sale now at $500 per seat, with $250 a tax deductible charitable expense.
