Fifty-two thousand children in Charlotte alone struggle with hunger, as well as one in five children nationwide. One in five.

These numbers are simply unacceptable.

We oftentimes forget how fortunate we are to be able to attend beer dinners, new restaurants and food truck events when thousands of children in our backyard are struggling to find food each day.

No Kid Hungry, a campaign of the non-profit organization Share Our Strength, is dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the U.S. Since the beginning of the campaign, No Kid Hungry has connected children struggling with hunger with more than 350 million additional healthy meals.

Each year No Kid Hungry organizes several dinners throughout the country to raise awareness and funds for the cause. For the second year in a row, the Charlotte culinary community is coming together for this amazing event, where guests will enjoy a cocktail reception followed by a 5-course menu and live auction to win items provided by some of the area’s best chefs.

The lineup of chefs participating in the event is impressive. Along with local chef hosts Thomas Marlow of Mimosa Grill and Scott Wallen of Upstream, you’ll also be able to taste unique dishes created by Chef Daniel Benjamin of lucettegrace in Raleigh, Chef Tony Maws of Craigie on Main in Cambridge, MA, Chef Mike Moore of The Blind Pig in Asheville, and Chef Michael Perez of Indaco in Charleston and Atlanta. There is definitely no shortage of talent in the chef lineup for the event. Chef Tony Maws has actually won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast.

When asked about why this event is so important to Chef Thomas Marlow, he said, “Childhood hunger is a solvable issue but it takes time and effort. With the No Kid Hungry Dinner, you can actually see the impact that it makes in the community. We’re very lucky to be able to focus on childhood hunger for one night to raise money.” All ticket proceeds of the dinner will support No Kid Hungry thanks to generous support from national and local sponsors.

According to Chef Marlow, this is one of the best food and wine experiences in the city. He also added that this year’s dinner has more awareness and energy surrounding it considering this will be the second annual.

So, why should you attend the No Kid Hungry Dinner on September 12 at Mimosa Grill?

• A killer dinner menu consisting of dishes created by amazing chefs in our area
• Menu items include Grilled Spanish Octopus, Wood Smoked Heritage Cheshire Pork Belly, and Corned Beef Anglotti
• A passed appetizer portion of the dinner that includes Crispy Yellowtail Tacos, Oyster on the Half Shell, Pekin Duck Boa Bun, and more
• Live auction for a chance to bid on items offered from participating chefs impressive include dinner and event experiences as well as luxury culinary and travel items.
• Menu items have been donated by local farmers and businesses including Olde Mecklenberg Brewery, Bell’s Best Berries, Lucky Leaf Gardens, and Una Alo Volta cheese
• A different glass of wine is served with each dinner course
• Best of all, you’ll be making a difference by helping to end childhood hunger in Charlotte

Details
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Location: Mimosa Grill – 327 South Tryon Street
Time: Cocktail Reception: 6 p.m., Dinner: 7 p.m.
Admission: Individual tickets are $175, group tables also available

Tickets for the Charlotte No Kid Hungry Dinner are going quickly. Purchase your tickets now before they sell out.

If you can’t make it to the No Kid Hungry dinner on September 12, please make a donation on their website at nokidhungry.org.

Photo credit: Image of Tony Maws courtesy of Chef Tony Maws. All other images via Mimosa Grill.