Four Houston Chefs Team Up to Take On Food Deserts with A New Dinner Series
FROM DESERT TO DESTINY: CHEFS DAWN BURRELL, DOMINICK LEE, JONATHAN “JONNY” RHODES, AND CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS TEAM UP TO LAUNCH F.A.D.S. — THE FOOD APARTHEID DINNER SERIES
For many of us, it is difficult to imagine that many people live in communities have limited access to fresh foods or commercial grocery stores. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that nearly 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts, a term used to describe geographic areas where there is minimal access to fresh food markets or commercial grocery stores. Sadly, Houston is no stranger to this epidemic—but four local chefs are looking to change the narrative by raising money and awareness for affected communities using the power of food. Enter chefs Dawn Burrell (Kulture), Dominick Lee (Poitín), Jonny Rhodes (Indigo), and Chris Williams (Lucille’s). The foursome came together with the initial goal of planning a collaborative dinner that simply allowed them to engage one another’s culinary creativity. But as the conversations flowed, like they always do with interesting people, the group quickly realized they shared a collective passion for sowing back into debilitated communities, specifically those that historically lacked access to fresh ingredients. Thus, the Food Apartheid Dinner Series (F.A.D.S) was born.
“When I first came up with this idea, it was just supposed to be a fun dinner with chef friends; but when we really started engaging in deeper conversations, we came to the conclusion that it is our duty as chefs to not only bring people together through food, but also use our knowledge and platform to educate and help others on food-related issues,” explains Lee. “The lasting effect of food deserts is an issue that is near and dear to all of our hearts. We all know someone or grew up in communities affected by them, so we’ve seen it first hand.”
It’s this passion that led to the dinner series’ name. While many associate apartheid with racial segregation the word’s inclusion is meant to drive home the extreme separation and segregation of fresh food access throughout the country.
“This is really a socio-economic issue. The reality is that millions of people that reside in lower income areas have restricted access to fresh food and ingredients. They want to make better decisions when it comes to feeding their families, but the combination of the lack of food education and ingredient access makes it nearly impossible. Our restaurant is smack dab in the middle of one of Houston’s many food deserts. I grew up in this community, and we talk to kids all of the time that aren’t even aware that food grows from the ground,” Rhodes explains.
Burrell, Lee, Rhodes, and Williams are taking their official stand against food deserts next month — dedicating September 2019 to a four-part culinary experience that will raise money to provide affected communities with fresh produce and food education.
The first annual F.A.D.S. kicks off on Wednesday, September 4th with a family-style collaborative dinner ($80) at Poitín that will showcase Southern fare with international infusions. The fundraising continues on Tuesday, September 10th with a hybrid family- style + coursed collaborative meal ($150) at Kulture, which will highlight cuisine born out of Afro-Asian cross culturalism — a fitting theme given Chef Dawn’s culinary background. The following week brings guests to Lucille’s for a nine-course wine dinner ($225) inspired by original recipes written by culinary pioneer Lucille B. Smith — Chef Chris’ great grandmother and the restaurant’s namesake. Cocktails and/or wine are included with each dinner, and all four chefs will contribute to each installment.
Proceeds from the first three dinners will go towards purchasing a bounty of farm fresh vegetables and proteins directly from local farmers and ranchers that will be gifted to the Trinity Gardens community — a Houston food desert — during the F.A.D.S finale garden party at Indigo on the evening of Tuesday, September 24th. The event, which will be free and open to the surrounding public, will showcase live cooking demos and food education demonstrations, as well as live music, games, and rotating paella and whole roasting stations.
“I think the four of us coming together to do this speaks volumes. This isn’t for our own benefit. It’s truly us teaming up to sow back into the communities that have inspired and raised us. We are so fortunate to have access to the best produce and proteins that money can buy, now it’s our turn to give back and educate others,” says Williams.
“Studies show that access to fresh food really can change the course of one’s life. Being in the restaurant industry, we’d be remised if we didn’t stand up and demand attention for such an important cause. I’m excited for the four of us to mesh our cooking styles together throughout the month of September. We’ll get to still put smiles on people’s faces with our food, while raising funds that will change lives,” Burrell added.
Tickets to each dinner can be purchased HERE. Guests can opt to secure tickets individually, or they can take advantage of F.A.D.S.’ bundle deal, which grants one access to all three dinners for $375.
