Here’s how you can get a private dinner with one of Charlotte’s best chefs
Ask more than a dozen local chefs to create a special three-course meal table-side for more than 200 diners, add a fourth dessert course from a stellar pastry chef, pair with specially selected wines and a cocktail reception, and you’ve got the innovative recipe for a cool culinary-focused charitable event – Girls on the Run’s inaugural Out of The Kitchen.
The March 15 gala held at the Westin Charlotte benefits the Charlotte-based nonprofit Girls on the Run.
How the event works
Diners choose the chef’s table they like to dine at and then enjoy a special three course meal created especially for them. Desert and wine are provided by the Westin’s JP Charlotte and the evening is designed to be participative, fun and festive. Organizers hope to raise $25,000 for Girls on the Run.
What chefs will be there?
Chefs from all over the city (and beyond) are participating including:
– Fahrenheit’s David Feimster
– Heritage Food And Drink’s Paul Verica
– JP Charlotte’s Lenny Judice
– Spring House’s Tim Grandinetti
– Stoke’s Christopher Coleman
– Toby Joseph from Ft. Lauderdale’s Wild Sea
– Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar’s David Lucarelli
– Harvest Moon Grille’s Cassie Parsons
– Dogwood Southern Table & Bar’s Scott Hollingsworth
– Bombay Grill’s Nishal Sethi
– Little Spoon Eatery’s Ryan Allen
– Best Impressions’ James Fox
– Kinship at The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte’s Juan Pablo de la Sota Riva
– Chef Douglas Walls,
– Dorado Beach Positivo’s Christian Clair
– Johnson & Wales’ Quientina Stewart.
What’s Girls on the Run?
Girls on the Run delivers physical, activity-based, positive youth development programing to inspire girls in third through eighth grade to be healthy, joyful and confident. It helps young girls embrace their individual strengths and successfully navigate life experiences.
Girls on the Run has chapters in more than 220 cities reaching more than 1 million girls since its founding.
“Almost 50 percent of girls participating in Girls on the Run Charlotte receive financial assistance so that they can experience the power of our program,” Liz Wian, Director of Development Girls on the Run, said. “We can’t accomplish these goals without the generous support of partners, like The Westin and events like Out of the Kitchen.”
‘I love this format’
Turns out most chefs love to get out of the kitchen and get face to face with their guests.
“I love this format,” Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar chef David Lucarelli said. “It’s always fun connecting with people directly. We don’t get that opportunity very often because we are usually in the kitchen.”
Host chef JP Charlotte’s Lenny Judice agrees.
“A lot of times we get caught up in the kitchen,” Judice said. “This event will be more hands on and interactive with the guests. It allows us to create that intimate moment where we can perform and discuss our thoughts behind each dish in front of them. Like buying a painting where you never see the artist, food can be the same way. We put so much passion and thought into our meals but that is something guests rarely get to see.”
Out of the Kitchen: Benefit Gala for Girls on the Run
When: 6-9 p.m. March 15
Where: The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St.
Cost: Tickets are $160, $300 for a pair and $1,600 for a table of 12.
More information: Go here.
Photos: Diedra Laird/Charlotte Observer; Courtesy of Westin Charlotte; Cowfish Sushi & Burger Bar
This story was originally published March 5, 2017 at 11:37 PM with the headline "Here’s how you can get a private dinner with one of Charlotte’s best chefs."