On Nov. 4, 2018, 24 chefs from the Charleston, S.C., area gathered for the third annual Dining for a Cause—an evening of food, fun and fundraising. Steve Palmer, owner of The Indigo Road restaurant group, created the event in conjunction with Mickey Bakst, founder of Feed the Need.
Feed the Need is a Charleston-based organization that collaborates with One 80 Place, Neighborhood House and Tricounty Ministries to alleviate some of the economic burdens facing soup kitchens and shelters. Since its start in 2009, the organization, its partners and its volunteers have served over 25,000 meals and saved other organizations more than $75,000 in food expenses annually.
This year alone, the chefs, sponsors and guests of the event raised approximately $500,000 for the 1 in 5 people in the state of South Carolina who battle with food insecurity. The proceeds will help ensure the group’s success throughout 2019, improving the lives of locals through community outreach.
“Charleston has so generously supported our restaurants for many years, inspiring us every day to give back to a community that has served us so well,” Palmer shared. “Feed the Need is committed to serving and feeding Charleston’s hungry, as well as helping these individuals find employment and housing, so they can ultimately feed themselves and their families.”
Chef Jeremiah Bacon, a Certified Angus Beef ® brand ambassador at the helm of the city’s storied Oak Steakhouse, co-hosted more than 300 guests with Palmer while the chefs split into groups of four. Each group represented a Charleston neighborhood, including Ansonborough, French Quarter, Cannonborough, Radcliffeborough and Harleston Village. A team from New York City, entitled Off the Peninsula, also joined.
“I’m always left awestruck after seeing so many wonderful chefs, partners and neighbors come together to support Feed the Need at Dining for a Cause each year,” Palmer said of the turnout.
The menus included multiple courses, along with wine pairings, bread provided by Brown’s Court Bakery and beef donated by Certified Angus Beef LLC. Four of the five groups took advantage of the beef offerings and featured items such as garlic-rosemary infused Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime ribeye and dry-aged N.Y. strip, and braised Certified Angus Beef ® brand short ribs.
“The Certified Angus Beef ® brand team has the utmost respect for Steve, Jeremiah and the philanthropic spirit of The Indigo Road group,” said Mary McMillen, leader of strategic partnerships for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. “It was an honor to support Dining for a Cause.”
In addition to eating the professionally prepared dishes, guests were able to participate in a live auction. Items included stays at award-winning hotels and resorts around the U.S., tickets to the 2019 Wine Spectator Grand Wine Experience in New York, certificates for Charleston eateries, and trips to exotic places, like Peru and South Africa.
Learn more about Feed the Need or donate to the cause.
