Hunger Busters, a Dallas nonprofit dedicated to eradicating child hunger, will host its sixth annual “Meet the Chefs” event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at The Empire Room. This culinary event, featuring chefs from the Food Network and celebrity chefs, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be emceed by WFAA journalist Erin Hunter.
Dr. Latame Phillips, CEO of Hunger Busters, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about child hunger in Dallas, stating, “This event offers a unique culinary experience to foster community conversations about feeding our children.”
Guests can look forward to a cocktail reception with local mixologists, followed by live chef demonstrations where celebrity chefs narrate and serve a multi-course dinner. The lineup includes:
- Manwell “Hoppie” McLean, personal chef for Dallas Cowboys players
- Nina Sagoo, founder of Spiced Lavender Catering
- Derricka Clayton, founder of Chef Derricka Culinary Concepts
- Jose Castillo, chef for Dem Taco Boys
- Rassaun “RJ” Johnson, celebrity chef at Playmakers 88
- Troi Hawkins, daughter of MLB player LaTroy Hawkins
- Karren Whitley, charcuterie board specialist
The event will feature live music, a silent auction, and networking opportunities with influential community leaders. Proceeds support Hunger Busters’ mission to provide over 3,500 meals daily to students in need, aiming to increase this number significantly.
Dr. Phillips noted that access to nutritious food is a basic right, highlighting the need to combat food insecurity among children, especially in low-income areas. According to Feeding America, one in five children in Texas is food insecure, a statistic that Hunger Busters actively addresses by ensuring children receive healthy meals to aid their growth and academic success.
The “Meet the Chefs” event will be held at The Empire Room, 1225 North Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $250, and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.hungerbusters.com/meetthechefs.
About Hunger Busters:
Founded in 2012, Hunger Busters provides third meals to food-insecure students in Dallas ISD through its Food Rescue program, which collects unsold food from local restaurants. Volunteers prepare and deliver meals to afterschool programs, addressing food access in underserved areas. For more information, visit http://www.hungerbusters.com.
