Eating is such a fun activity, especially when the establishment/cooks are just THAT good! Mmm…now combine that with a chance to give back, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. Here are two opportunities for you to chow and support some great organizations.

The Local Tourist Restaurant Week

For almost a week, diners have stopped by participating restaurants to enjoy three course meals for only $25/lunch and $35/dinner. Ten percent of each meal goes to Endure To Cure, which is raising money for pediatric cancer research, treatment and care! Restaurant Week goes until this Friday, January 15th, so you still have time to participate! Feature restaurants include Wave, Nacional 27, and C-House. Be sure to ask about “The Local Tourist” menu!

Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Challenge

The Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, formerly the Cooking & Hospitlaity Institute, is hosting a “Bleu Ribbon” cooking challenge across the country on Thursday, January 14th. Three teams, consisting of local chefs, celebrities, and students will prepare their take on a traditional chicken with herbs dish. Attendees (meaning YOU) will get to taste the dishes and select the winner! Tickets are $25 and a portion of sales will benefit the local Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Chicago event which will have participants such as Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard is already sold out, but if you’re in another city then you may still be in luck! Click this link to find a city near you. Happy judging!

-kb

Disclaimer: LCB is a Client of my PR firm. I was not asked to blog about the event, but did so as it fits into the theme of TFG.

Oh boy, oh boy!!! This weekend, all 35 Chicagoland locations of Jamba Juice will be donating 20% of their sales to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. I thought I’d have something more to type, but I think I’m too busy being in shock. I’m a Jamba Juice junkie, and in the summertime, I tend to replace lunch with the amazing smoothies. Ah, heaven! Okay…Go forth and get your smoothie on this weekend.

Don’t know where your nearest Jamba Juice is? Visit www.jambajuice.com to figure it out!

-kb

Tada!

On Thursday evening, a small group of us met up at Carnivale to have dinner in support of “Dining Out for Life.” We had SUCH a great time! Game 6 of the Bulls/Celtics game was playing so we didn’t actually make it to our table until 40 minutes before the kitchen closed. We just could NOT leave that bar area…Three overtimes. Really?!?

Overall…This Carnivale experience was two thumbs up, per the usual. And, I’m thinking that on my next visit, I will try a different entree, instead of going with my usual delight

Although it definitely does not feel like ice cream weather in Chicago, please know that will definitely not stop me from enjoy 31 cent scoop night at Baskin-Robbins! That’s right, ladies and gents…When you visit Baskin-Robbins tonight from 5-10p, you can purchase a small ice cream for only 31 cents and help support America’s firefighters! BR is making a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program. Voila…There you have it!

I’m already dreaming about my cookie dough cone…Fun times indeed

-kb

P.S. The POTUS took Michelle to Baskin-Robbins for their first date. So, guys, don’t sleep on this opportunity for a fun/affordable date! And, if she fusses, simply tell her that Barack did the same thing, it’s for charity, and something something something. You can thank me later

I don’t know how I’ll ever get ready for swimsuit season if I keep getting information about “eating for charity!” My newest challenge will be to make it out of May WITHOUT doubling my body weight. Of course, I’m exaggerating but the Les Turner ALS Foundation is tempting me with its “Culinary Crusade: Join The Bite Against ALS” initiative! 

Throughout the month of May, diners who visit twelve Chicago restaurants will be doing their part to donate to the fight against ALS, a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and impaired speaking, swallowing and breathing, and eventually total paralysis and death. The funds raised will go towards supporting scientific research, ALS patient and family services, and educational and advocacy programs.

Participating restaurants are listed below. When you’re at one of these places, inquire about their “Culinary Crusade Special” for specifics on exactly how the restaurant will support the Les Turner ALS Foundation. 

- Adobo Grill (2005 W. Division, Chicago)

- Bluegrass (1636 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park )

- Graziano’s Brick Oven Pizza (5960 W. Touhy Ave., Niles)

- Ina’s (1235 W. Randolph, Chicago)

- Tuscany (1425 W. 22nd, Oak Brook)

- Tuscany (550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling)

- Unrefined Café (24 N. Washington, Valparaiso, Ind.)

- Vinci (1732 N. Halsted, Chicago)

- Wishbone (1001 W. Washington, Chicago)

- Wishbone (3300 N. Lincoln, Chicago)

Sign me up for a late weekday breakfast at Ina’s, a weekend brunch at Wishbone, and happy hour fajitas and margaritas at Adobo Grill. Have any of you guys ever been to the other places on the list? 

-kb

On Thursday, April 30th, various restaurants across the country will participate in Dining Out for Life, an event designed to raise money for AIDS organizations. Here in Chicago, approximately 30 restaurants will help raise funds for AIDSCare Chicago, an organization which has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for Chicagoans with HIV/AIDS since 1992. AIDSCare offers support service, housing assistance, and much more.

You can find a list of participating restaurants and cities by visiting diningoutforlife.com!

Carnivale

Kit Kat Lounge (metromix.com)

Over at The Red Pump Project, we are inviting our Chicago supporters to join us for group dinner outing on this night. Luvvie and I are still deciding which place to attend, but I already have my Top Two choices (Carnivale or The Kit Kat Lounge). If you would like to join us, then shoot an email over to redpumpproject@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you with the details!

-kb

Hey, DC readers! Today, over 150 area restaurants will join together to support individuals living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by contributing a percentage of their sales to Food & Friends, a nonprofit organization in the Washington area which provides specialized meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to individuals in the community. 

I took a look at the list and recognized some of my favorite spots like Tabaq, The Melting Pot, and Busboys and Poets! The entire list can be found here! 

Dining Out for Life is a nationwide event and each city has a different date. If you’d like more information on Dining Out for Life and to find out when it will come to your city, you can visit www.diningoutforlife.com!

-kb

Everyone knows that Chicago winters are NO joke. Said winters tend to inspire tons of eating and tea-sipping! One of my personal favs is obviously soup! When I was working, I used to always stop by Soupbox on Chicago Ave or the soup stand in Foodlife. Yum…

Okay, now for the free soup part! The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) will be serving free soup EVERY Wednesday from 5-8p. They aren’t charging a cover, and you don’t have to have a minimum tab. There’s just one small thing…They’re asking patrons to help them raise funds for the Greater Chicago Food Depository (whatever you can give). The soups will be prepared by Hideout staff members, as well as guest chefs, bar regulars and even the occasional celebrity. The selections will very from week to week so expect the unexpected!

This sounds absolutely fantastic and I look forward to stopping by once I return from DC!!! Stay warm out there, folks!

-kb

Calling all my sushi-fanatics with over-stuffed closets!!! Until January 31st, you can take in a gently used winter coat to Tsuki Japanese Restaurant and Lounge (1441 W. Fullerton) or Ai (358 W. Ontario) and receive 20% off your bill! The coats will be donated to Cornerstone Community Outreach.

Rejoice!

-kb

The Kids’ Cafe is a space where teenagers can come to explore art, youth leadership and health and wellness. Students also work on school assignments and enjoy nutritious meals daily, provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. For more information, please click here!

-kb

P.S. As a bonus, there will be a live jazz performance by Nanette Frank and Friends beginning at 7p!