Ethiotime1
HUMBOLDT PARK — Nearly 30 Chicago chefs are coming together to help people affected by a humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia.
Chicago chef Tigist Reda, a Tigray native, is hosting the Chicago Chefs for Tigray benefit dinner 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division St. Attendees can try dishes from the chefs, watch performances and shop from a marketplace, according to organizers.
Proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will support humanitarian relief for women and children in Tigray and refugees in Sudan.
Tickets are $150 per person and can be bought online or at the door. Guests are encouraged to dress casually.
The United Nations has said there’s evidence war crimes and crimes against humanity — including murders and sexual attacks — have been committed in Tigray amid a war that started in 2020.
A communications blackout and ethnic violence has caused Reda to lose contact with family members and friends, according to a news release.
“I haven’t spoken to my 68-year-old mom for over a year,” Reda said in the release. “During this time, I also learned my baby brother and his wife had a little girl, but only from a few pictures sent via WhatsApp from the besieged Tigray. Since phone and banking systems are shut down, there’s no way for me to get them help or inquire about their safety firsthand.”
The event, held in partnership with nonprofit Health Professionals Network for Tigray, is organized by the same team that set up Chicago Chefs for Ukraine, as well as Jodi Fyfe of the Paramount Group, according to organizers.
Chefs participating in Wednesday’s event:
- Art Smith of Reunion
- Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark of Wherewithall
- Bill Kim of Urban Belly
- Brian Jupiter of Ina Mae
- Cliff Rome of Rome’s Joy Catering
- Dana Cree ofPretty Cool Ice Cream
- Darnell Reed of Luella’s Southern Kitchen
- Devon Quinn of Eden
- Dozzy Ibekwe of Dozzy’s Grill
- Erick Williams of Virtue, Daisy’s Po’ Boy and Tavern
- Giuseppe Tentori of GT Prime
- Jason Hammel and Andrew Holladay of Lula Café
- Jenner Tomaska of Esmé
- Joseph Flamm of Rose Mary
- Lamar Moore of River North Dining and Entertainment
- Louie Alexakis and Nikolaos Kapernaros of Avli
- Matthias Merges of Folkart Management
- Martial Noguier of Bistronomic
- Mary Aregoni of Saigon Sisters
- Noah Sandoval of Pizza Friendly Pizza, 16 on Center
- Paul Kahan and Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread
- RIck Bayless and Zach Steen of Frontera Grill
- Sam Rattanopas of Nakorn
- Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris of Prairie Grass Cafe
- Tigist Reda of Demera
- Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to “It’s All Good: A Block Club Chicago Podcast”:
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings