Pop-up dinner shines light on mental health in the restaurant industry
Cinder’s latest Charlotte pop-up, “A Light in the Attic,” plans to aid the Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness’s (CHOW) effort to provide mental health resources for chefs and other restaurant professionals.
“A Light in the Attic” will take place on Feb. 28 at Common Market South End. The event is inspired by conversations among industry professionals about the recent loss of and sufferings of colleagues and peers due to the pressures that accompany a career in the restaurant industry, said Duke Kroger, partner and executive chef of Cinder, which is set to open this summer.
“That mentally of pressure and stress in this industry is so prevalent,” Kroger said. “This is the one thing we unanimously agree is an issue. It has to be solved.”
What to expect
Chefs will select a song to accompany each course as inspiration. The songs will be from artists who are no longer here with us and artists who openly discuss mental health challenges and their personal experiences. When chefs present their dishes, they will tell their personal experiences related to mental health and working in the industry.
There will also be a silent auction for a custom, deluxe Meglio chef’s knife and gift certificates to Charlotte restaurants.
Who is involved?
The Asbury executive chef Mike Long
Bardo former executive chef William Underwood
Black Farms Matter founder chef Calvin Wright
Cinder owner Duke Kroger
Common Market executive chef Geoff Bragg
Common Market chef Kevin Connelli
Dukes Bread owner Adam Duke
The Fig Tree executive pastry chef Jacob Witten
Southminster executive director Marc Jacksina
Event details
The event is on Feb. 28 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Common Market South End. Tickets are $150. There’s an add-on option for a $25 wine package. You can purchase tickets for the event online.
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 6:15 AM.
