Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Hotel ZaZa Museum District
Reception: 6:30 PM | Dinner: 7:00 PM
Join Houston’s most acclaimed chefs for an extraordinary five-course dinner, each dish thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines. Building on 25 years of impact, this signature event has brought together culinary excellence and collective strength in support of our shared mission: providing food for better lives.
When our neighbors need us most, your partnership transforms this exceptional evening into lasting impact across Southeast Texas.
SAVOR THE EXPERIENCE
Five of Houston’s finest chefs will create an unforgettable culinary journey, presenting innovative courses that showcase their mastery and passion. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with premium wines, curating an experience that celebrates both artistry and purpose. This year’s theme, “Savor the Moment,” reflects both the exceptional evening we’ll share and the pivotal opportunity we have to build Houston’s capacity to nourish our neighbors. Your presence represents more than attendance at a memorable dinner—it’s an investment in community infrastructure that creates nutrition security for families across our region.
FEATURED CHEFS 2026
The culinary vision for Savor the Moment is coming into focus and we’re thrilled to introduce the extraordinary talent who will transform Hotel ZaZa into an unforgettable evening of flavor, artistry, and impact. These culinary artists represent Houston’s vibrant food scene at its finest, bringing their creativity and expertise to support our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.
Chef Ope Amosu | ChòpnBlọk
A three-time James Beard Award semifinalist, Ope Amosu’s ChòpnBlọk earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was named one of The New York Times’ Best Restaurants in America for 2025. Raised in Houston as a child of Nigerian immigrants, he brings bold West African flavors and warm hospitality to Montrose.
Chef David Skinner | Eculent & Ishtia
A 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist, David Skinner is a Choctaw chef whose restaurant Ishtia was named one of Texas Monthly’s Best New Restaurants of 2025. His 18-course Indigenous tasting menu and live-fire cooking honor ancestral traditions through immersive storytelling.
Chef Benchawan “Chef G” Jabthong Painter | Street to Kitchen
The 2023 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Texas, Chef G earned back-to-back Michelin Bib Gourmands for Street to Kitchen’s unapologetically authentic Thai cuisine. Learning to cook at age six in her grandmother’s Central Thai restaurant, she brings bold, complex flavors to Houston with no shortcuts or compromises.
Chef William Crutcher | Monarch, Hotel ZaZa Museum District
Rising from line cook to Chef de Cuisine, William Crutcher creates meticulously handcrafted menus at Monarch that honor classical French technique. His culinary journey began in his grandmother’s Fulshear kitchen, where he taught himself French cooking from encyclopedias after losing his mother at age eight.
THE BARBARA FALIK HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The Barbara Falik Humanitarian Award honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to food security in our community, embodying the spirit and dedication of its namesake.
A Visionary Advocate
Barbara Falik was a tireless advocate, addressing food insecurity in Houston for over 18 years. Her grassroots determination and innovative thinking led to the creation of the Red Barrel Program, which became a cornerstone of food collection efforts in our community. Through her visionary leadership, the Red Barrel Program expanded to include over 250 grocery stores across Houston, providing more than 514,000 meals annually to those in need.
For nearly two decades, the Barbara Falik Humanitarian Award has recognized outstanding contributions to food security in Houston. Past recipients include:
- 2025: The Keegan Family, whose transformative support revolutionized our ability to nourish Houston’s most vulnerable children through the state-of-the-art Keegan Kitchen
- 2018: The Astros Foundation, whose volunteers packaged over 89,000 meals for those in need
- 2014: ABC-13, recognized for their Share Your Holidays Food Drive, which has been serving the community for over 35 years
- 2012: Scott McClelland, Armando Perez, and H-E-B, for their transformative partnership with the Houston Food Bank
The 2026 recipient will be announced in the coming months.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR INVESTMENT
Your support of Houston Food Bank helps provide 120 million nutritious meals each year to over one million neighbors through 1,600+ community partners. By backing Chefs’ Dinner, you’re investing in more than food—you’re building systems that promote wellness, dignity, and resilience. Consistent access to healthy meals strengthens families, improves learning, boosts productivity, and empowers communities to thrive.
HELP US CRAFT THE EXPERIENCE
By supporting the Chefs’ Dinner, you’re investing in more than meals—you’re helping build systems that foster wellness, dignity, and resilience. Reliable access to nutritious food strengthens families, enhances learning, boosts productivity, and empowers entire communities to thrive.
Signature Sponsorship Opportunities
Your sponsorship of the Chefs’ Dinner represents more than attendance at an elegant evening—it’s a strategic investment in both immediate capacity and lasting infrastructure that creates nutrition security for our community.
- Executive Chef | $25,000 — Premier table for 10, stage-front seating, VIP experience for two, prominent recognition across all materials and platforms
- Executive Sous Chef | $15,000 — Priority table for 10, featured recognition in event materials and on website
- Sommelier | $7,500 — Preferred table for 10, special recognition in program and on website
- Chef de Partie | $3,000 — Two preferred seats, listed recognition in program
To guarantee inclusion in printed event materials, please confirm your sponsorship by March 6, 2026.
For complete sponsorship benefits and payment options, please download our Sponsorship Benefits document or contact Adrien Turner at aturner@houstonfoodbank.org
Join the Host Committee
We’re currently building our Host Committee for the 26th Annual Chefs’ Dinner. Host Committee members serve as ambassadors for the event, sharing our vision with their networks and demonstrating leadership in the fight against food insecurity.
If you’re interested in joining our 2026 Host Committee, please contact Adrien Turner at aturner@houstonfoodbank.org.
Food Underwriting Partnership
Showcase your products to Houston’s culinary and philanthropic leaders while maximizing fundraising impact by reducing event costs. Food underwriters receive prominent recognition and marketing benefits.
If you’re interested in becoming a Food Underwriter, please contact Adrien Turner at aturner@houstonfoodbank.org.
Make a Direct Donation
Every dollar provides three nutritious meals for our neighbors facing food insecurity.
For more information about Chefs’ Dinner please contact Adrien Turner at ATurner@houstonfoodbank.org