Eat, Drink & Be Generous

Rebuilding community through good food and generosity.

Working together to rebuild community through good food and generosity.

Good food + good company + giving to great causes = That’s United Way of King County’s Eat, Drink & Be Generous event series for you!

While we put together this series to support our vulnerable neighbors and lift up our local restaurants during the COVID-19 crisis, it continues to bring our community together while cooking and eating amazing food and raising critical dollars for our neighbors in need.

Why attend an Eat, Drink & Be Generous event?

Learn from some of Seattle’s most sought-after BIPOC chefs as they teach you how to toss up their signature dishes and drinks (that is sure to be a conversation piece at your next dinner party)
Find out about the issues our neighbors are facing
Generously raise money to support our community

It’s what we like to call a win-win.

All dollars raised from ticket prices and donations will support our community by fighting homelessness, helping students graduate and ensuring that all families are financially stable—all with a delicious plate and drink in hand.

Thanks in advance for joining us at the table!

Featuring

Kaleena Bliss | Executive Chef & Winner of Food Network’s Chopped & Beachside Brawl

Seattle
Pacific Northwest inspired with a passion for locally foraged ingredients including wild mushrooms and seafood

Chef Kaleena Bliss is an award winning chef and formerly the Executive Chef of the Thompson Seattle. She was the winner of both Food Network’s “Chopped” Season 51 and Beachside Brawl. Chef Bliss is a Pacific Northwest native with a passion for locally foraged ingredients including wild mushrooms and seafood. She is known for her ability to foster a connection between diners and the outdoors.

Visit Kaleena Bliss >>

Kristi Brown | Communion Restaurant & Bar

That Brown Girl Cooks!
‘Everybody Gotta Eat’ Cuisine – innovative soul food
Central District

Kristi Brown is the Founder, Executive Chef, and Co-owner of catering company That Brown Girl Cooks!, a community kitchen called ‘Everybody Gotta Eat,’ and her new restaurant, Communion Restaurant & Bar. From the beginning of her career, she’s been committed to preparing whole foods with love, knowing that nothing brings people together like food!

Visit Communion website >>

Chef Shota Nakajima | Taku

Capitol Hill
Osaka-influenced street food

Chef Shota is the owner of Taku restaurant and a three-time James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist. He was a finalist on Bravo’s Top Chef in 2021 and was awarded Season 18 Fan Favorite. Chef Shota seizes every opportunity to get outside and forage or fish, alongside his border collie Dodger.

Visit Taku’s website >>

Chef Melissa Miranda | Musang

Beacon Hill
Filipinx-inspired food

Melissa Miranda is chef/owner of Musang, a Filipinx restaurant that crafts dishes inspired by her childhood memories. Musang also runs a free meal program through their Community Kitchen and a children’s cooking program called Musang Little Wildcats. Melissa is committed to making Musang a community space that aims to educate the broader public about Filipino food and culture.

Visit Musang website >>

Ethan Stowell | Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Seattle Region

Chef Ethan Stowell grew up in Seattle and connects with community through his restaurants stretching from Ballard to Capitol Hill. His transformation of simple ingredients to culinary marvels has gotten him nominated for several James Beard Awards.
Visit the Ethan Stowell’s page >>

Rodney Hines | Métier Brewing Company

Woodinville

Throughout his career, Rodney has advocated for businesses to measure success through both profitability and civic responsibility. For this work, Rodney made #16 on Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business 2017.
Visit the Métier Brewing Company site >>

Shae Frichette | Frichette Winery

Benton City
Wine

In 2013, Shae Frichette and her husband Greg wanted to build a business that would give them both goosebumps. Today, Frichette Winery is a limited production winery in Benton City, Washington, crafting wines that showcase the best of the Red Mountain AVA. They host events for wine club members and guests from all over the world.

Visit Frichette Winery Website >>

Robin Wehl Martin | Hello Robin

University Village & Capitol Hill
Bakery, Cookies

Hello Robin has been a destination cookie shop since first opening on Capitol Hill in 2013.
They offer 12 cookie flavors and have been recognized by local and national publications for having the best cookies in the city (and the state)! Recently, a University Village shop was added to the mix.
Visit Hello Robin’s Website

Dennis Ramey and Osbaldo Hernandez | Frelard Tamales

Greenlake
Authentic and handmade tamales

Dennis Ramey and Osbaldo Hernandez are the founders and owners of Frelard Tamales. They are passionate about cooking and creating authentic, handmade tamales and their recipe comes from Osbaldo’s family who is from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Green Lake shop is operated by the family with the help of an amazing, hardworking staff.

Visit Frelard Tamales website >>

Preeti Agarwal | Meesha

Fremont
Contemporary Indian

Preeti Agarwal is an Indian chef born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, India and in 2020 opened her restaurant Meesha. With a passion for elevated cooking, Meesha aims to bring contemporary Indian cuisine to the Seattle dining scene by using local and fresh seasonal ingredients.

Visit Meesha Website >>

Manny Chao | Georgetown Brewing Co.

Georgetown
Beer

Manny Chao is creator of Manny’s Pale Ale and the co-founder of Georgetown Brewing Company, Washington State’s largest independent brewery. When he’s not enjoying a cold pint, you can find him knee deep in some juicy pork dumplings. Ask him about cats.

Visit Georgetown Brewing Co. Website >>

Efrem Fesaha | Boon Boona Coffee

Renton
Coffee Roastery & Café

Boon Boona Coffee was launched with the aim of sourcing the highest quality coffee from Africa. In collaboration with coffee farmers across many African nations they look to develop long lasting relationships and support the sustainability of their crops. Boon Boona Roastery & Café operations are located in Downtown Renton with wholesale distribution throughout US & Canada.

Visit the Boon Boona Coffee website >>

Chera Amlag | Hood Famous Bakeshop, Hood Famous Café & Bar

Ballard & International District
Filipino & Asian-Pacific flavors

Chera Amlag is founder and co-owner of Hood Famous Bakeshop. Hood Famous Bakeshop has evolved over the years from pop-ups, wholesaling and catering, to opening its first brick-and-mortar location in Ballard in 2016. In 2019, Hood Famous Café + Bar opened in the International District, garnering Chera a 2020 James Beard Semi-Finalist nomination.

Visit Hood Famous Bakeshop’s website >>

Donna Moodie | Marjorie

Capitol Hill
Pacific Northwest Cuisine

Born in Jamaica and raised in Chicago, Donna Moodie found her way into her mother’s kitchen at an early age. In 2003, having already opened two successful Seattle restaurants, Moodie transformed a former venture into Marjorie, paying tribute to the inspiration for her lifelong affair with hospitality.
Visit the Marjorie page >>

Renee Erickson | Many restaurants in the greater Seattle area

Pacific Northwest with a European sensibility

Renee Erickson is a James Beard award-winning chef, author, and co-owner of multiple restaurants in Seattle, Washington including The Walrus and the Carpenter, The Whale Wins and Westward, just to name a few. As a Seattle native, Renee’s restaurants highlight the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with a European sensibility.

Visit Renee’s Website>>

Sara Dickerman

Cookbook author and food writer

Sara Dickerman is a James Beard Award winning food writer who has published articles in Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Saveur and Slate. In addition to her work with Renee Erickson on Getaway, she is the author of three cookbooks, including Secrets of Great Second Meals and The Food Lover’s Cleanse.

Visit Sara’s Facebook page >>

Kamala Saxton | Marination

Seattle Area
Hawaiian-Korean fusion cuisine

Kamala and Roz co-own the three Marination restaurants in Seattle. They believe in fun and flavor and deliver daily aloha to Seattle! And they support these beliefs by hiring vibrant, joyful people to prepare, cook, and serve their saucy and delicious fare; to connect with their customers and share a smile or a joke.
Visit the Marination page >>

Brooke Fox

Co-host of Brooke & Jeffrey
MOViN 92.5

Brooke Fox is co-host of the hit national radio show Brooke & Jeffrey, which broadcasts from Seattle’s MOViN 92.5. A self-described small-town girl living the big city dream, Brooke has worked in morning radio for the past 14 years. She’s a long-time supporter of United Way’s work and Emerging Leaders 365 program.

Trey Lamont | Jerk Shack

Belltown
Caribbean Cuisine

Born and raised in Seattle, Chef Trey Lamont was inspired by his early experience in his grandmother’s kitchen and knew from a young age that he wanted to cook. His menu is inspired by his Jamaican heritage, with a focus on made-from-scratch cooking using house-ground spices, smoked and fried to perfection.
Visit the Jerk Shack page >>

Jen Doak | Brimmer & Heeltap

Ballard
Fusion Cuisine

Jen Doak is a Seattle local with over two decades of experience in the wine and hospitality industries. She thrives on bringing people together and truly cares about being surrounded by good people and quality interactions.
Visit the Brimmer & Heeltap page >>

Logan Cox | Homer

North Beacon Hill
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Chef Logan Cox, a James Beard semi-finalist, brings us Middle Eastern small plates, influenced by Pacific NW ingredients. Homer’s long list of accolades includes ‘Best New Restaurants in America’ last year by GQ.
Visit the Homer page >>

Upcoming Events

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Sponsor This Event

Together with our donors and partners, we’re working every day to rebuild our community in Seattle and King County in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. This is a great opportunity to help our most vulnerable neighbors get back on their feet while also lifting up our local restaurants.

Sponsor This Event (PDF)

Thank you to our current Eat, Drink & Be Generous sponsors:

FAQs

What are your COVID protocols for in-person events?

- - All guests are required to show proof of vaccination along with a valid photo ID
  - All guests are required wear a mask while not sitting in a seat or actively eating and drinking
  - If you are feeling under the weather, have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who’s tested positive for COVID, please do not attend the event. We can offer a refund for anyone needing to cancel their ticket due to COVID.

How will the virtual events work?

After registering, we’ll reach out to you with details about the menu, where and when to pick up your meal kit if applicable. Close to the event, we’ll send you the secure Zoom link.

What accessibility accommodations are available during these events?

United Way is committed to making all of our events as accessible as possible. We will have live captioning available at all virtual events and ASL is available upon request. When you register, you’ll have an opportunity to indicate any accommodations you need.

Please note that a minimum of two weeks’ notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs. If you have any questions, please reach out to eventregistration@uwkc.org.

What’s in a meal kit?

Meal kits serve two adults. We do our best to accommodate some dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian), though this may vary by event. Every meal kit will be different depending on the featured Chef and restaurant. Kits will come with the ingredients you need, and the Chef will show you how to prepare your meal during the virtual event.

If I’m unable to pick up my meal kit, can I get a refund?

Registrations aren’t refundable but are definitely transferable! If something comes up, we encourage you to share your ticket(s) with someone who you really like. It’s going to be a fun event—and is a great opportunity to get to know more about United Way and support local restaurants.

United Way of King County is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Eat, Drink & Be Generous Virtual Series