Returns 2025
Central Texas Food Bank’s annual Hunger Heroes “un-gala” returns Wednesday, March 5 with an exclusive menu presented by renowned Chef and CEO of Emmer & Rye, Kevin Fink; and an artisan cocktail menu designed by Jessica Sanders of DrinkWell Austin.
Wednesday, March 5
Central Texas Food Bank
6500 Metropolis Drive
5:30pm Cocktail Reception, Garden Pavilion
7:00pm Dinner & Awards, Warehouse
What’s an un-gala?
Hunger Heroes is our “un-gala” – an intimate gathering for 100 of our closest friends and supporters in our temporarily transformed sorting warehouse to celebrate and honor local heroes who go above and beyond ensuring all central Texans have immediate and equitable access to nutritious food. In addition to hearing directly from honorees on why this work is so important, attendees enjoy an exclusive menu prepared by a locally renowned chef and artisan cocktails designed by a local mixologist.
The dress code is "Austin Chic." Anything goes from cocktail to business attire.
2025 Exclusive Seasonal Menu From Chef Kevin Fink
Kevin Fink is the partner and executive chef of five nationally renowned restaurants in Austin, Texas including Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Kalimotxo, Canje and Ezov, as well as two concepts in San Antonio, Ladino and Henbit. Fink has also led the development of Pullman Market in San Antonio, the largest culinary market in the Southwest featuring a specialty grocer, a whole animal butcher, a sourdough bakery, a chef supply shop, five quick-service eateries and four distinct restaurants - Mezquite, Fife & Farro, Isidore and Nicosi. Fink’s culinary career began over 15 years ago, but his love for food, restaurants and hospitality developed at an early age when he would trail his father, learning the ins and outs of the restaurant industry.
Fink opened the first concept, Emmer & Rye, in late 2015 and was soon named one of Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs” and awarded “Best New Restaurant 2016” by Bon Appetit. In 2020, Fink opened Hestia, which has been named “#1 Best New Restaurant in America” by Robb Report, and he has also been a finalist for James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest (2019) and Best Chef: Texas (2020). In 2022, Fink’s restaurant Canje was awarded “Best New Restaurant 2022” by Bon Appetit and was featured in The New York Times as one of “America’s Best Restaurants of 2022.”
Fink’s restaurants have also earned significant recognition in Texas’ inaugural Michelin Guide announced in November 2024. Ezov and Nicosi received Michelin recommendations, Emmer & Rye and Ladino were awarded Bib Gourmands, and Emmer & Rye was one of only two restaurants in Texas to receive a Michelin Green Star. Additionally, Hestia received a prestigious Michelin Star.
Fink currently lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Alicynn, and son, Hudson.
