Fighting hunger, one mouth-watering meal at a time.
That's what Burnaby's top chefs will be doing on April 18 when they get together at the Hilton Vancouver-Metrotown Hotel to serve up some of their best culinary creations for the Empty Bowls event.
This bi-annual gala is a fundraiser organized by the Burnaby Empty Bowls Committee, which supports programs that help local children and families in need.
"It's just a good way to promote community awareness," said Hart House executive chef, Alana Peckham. "I really like that there's something I can do to give back to the community."
Guests will be able to support their community while sampling a range of fine dining options, enjoying some live entertainment and auction items, and go home with complimentary ceramic bowls specially created by local artists.
At the last gala event, in 2011, Empty Bowls raised more than $31,000 to fund 21 local community projects, including the school district's food programs and several other non-profit and service groups.
The committee supports local efforts to feed hungry children and families, mostly through school snack programs. Some programs focus on families, teaching parents how to cook low-cost and nutritious meals.
"We hope that with the money that we raise we're meeting the needs of children and families in the community," said Gabriella Maio, co-chair of the Empty Bowls program.
"Anytime we're involved with a project like this, it's nice to see all of the dollars go to the right place," said Scott Jaeger, owner and chef at the Pear Tree. "The money stays local... quite often I don't think people really think of starving kids in Burnaby and it's nice to bring it to the forefront that not enough kids go to school with enough to eat."
Jaeger said he likes this style of fundraiser, wherein guests can "graze" rather than have to be committed to arriving at a certain time to sit down to dine.
"You can pop in for an hour, have a snack, a glass of wine, maybe bid on auction items, but you're not committed for your whole evening," he noted.
Jaeger has been on board with the fundraiser since it started in 1999. This year, he will be serving smoked ham hock terrine and fresh pea soup.
The menu will also include nori-wrapped Albacore tuna and chilled melon gazpacho from the Hart House, and the Burnaby School District's ACE-It Program will serve duck confit ragout and macadamia nut-encrusted cod.
Other participating restaurants include EBO Restaurant at the Delta Burnaby Hotel and Valley Bakery and the Hilton Vancouver-Metrotown.
Guests at this year's gala can expect a special sampling of snacks, an auction, as well as live entertainment by the Now's The Time trio, under leadership of local musician and Burnaby School District music educator, Aaron Hardie.
The Empty Bowls event will be held Thursday, April 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Ave.
Tickets are $65, which can be purchased through the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, at 604-205-3000, or www.burnabyemptybowls.webs.com.
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