22nd Annual Dining Out for Life for Open Hand Resolves What’s for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner April 29

Even for those of you in the proverbial clean plate club, a quarter of your breakfast, lunch and/or dinner goes to help others at Dining Out for Life restaurants on Wednesday, April 29. Aria, Article 14, Bantam + Biddy, Chick-a-Biddy, 10th & Piedmont, G’s Midtown, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and Willy’s Mexicana Grill locations in Buckhead, Midtown and Perimeter are a few of the popular destinations joining in Open Hand’s biggest fundraiser of the year. These restaurants and others will donate 25 percent of each tab to Open Hand, which now serves upwards of 5,500 nutritious meals each day and is the largest producer and distributor of home-delivered meals in the United States. Open Hand meals sustain those hindered by chronic, critical or terminal illnesses and disabilities as well as homebound seniors. Can we count you in? Superb! Go ahead and make reservations online before seats are filled.  

Several Spots to Support Open Hand Dining Out for Life on April 23

Since 1993, Atlanta’s Dining Out for Life (DOFL) restaurant participants have raised more than $2.8 million for Open Hand and community nutrition programs. On Wednesday, April 23, more than 80 Atlanta restaurants will participate in this year’s delicious event by donating 25 percent or more from each table’s tab to Open Hand. Guests are welcome to add an extra donation for the cause. Aria, a seven-year event veteran, is a 2013 top-five DOFL restaurant donor. Willy’s locations in the Atlanta area also will participate in the fundraising. Two-year participant Bantam + Biddy Ansley Mall is joined by Bantam + Biddy on Crescent Avenue, as well as Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station. Midtowners will find more of their favorites on the list: 10th & Piedmont, G’s Midtown and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern.

Party in the Kitchen with Open Hand on September 19

Come together for amazing food and a great cause September 19. Join Open Hand for Party in the Kitchen at the Event Gallery in the King Plow Arts Center, where chefs and guests hobnob in the kitchen to raise funds for Open Hand. Be on the lookout for Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina, Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Joe Schafer of King + Duke and David Bradley of Lure. Tantalizing food, wine and silent auction tempters are all part of the plan. A VIP reception with Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow begins at 6:30 p.m., and the main event opens up at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets or donate online. Over the past 25 years, nonprofit Open Hand has become the nation's largest provider of home-delivered, medically appropriate meals and nutrition education. The organization prepares, packs and delivers more than two million meals annually across metro Atlanta and 17 Georgia counties.

White is the Right Attire for a Party in the Kitchen Benefitting Open Hand

Wearing white after Labor Day is encouraged, even expected for this week's Party in the Kitchen on Thursday, September 6. Blend in with the white coats and toques of Aria's Gerry Klaskala, Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina, Shaun Doty of Bantam & Biddy, Adam Evans of The Optimist and Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill. These chefs and more will be cooking up some fun and raising funds for Open Hand at The Event Gallery at King Plow Arts Center. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, $175 each, click here. 

Dine Out for Life at Aria and Fifth Group Restaurants This Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 25, Open Hand is hosting Dining Out for Life (DOFL), one of the organization's largest fundraising events to help deliver more than 5,500 nutritious meals daily to Atlanta-area residents battling chronic disease and disabilities. Open Hand was founded in 1988 and delivered its 20 millionth meal this past December.

All you have to do is dine out (breakfast, lunch or dinner) at one of the participating restaurants this Wednesday, and 20% or more of your bill will be donated to Open Hand. Some participating eateries that are on the top of our must-visit list include Aria and Fifth Group Restaurants -- Alma Cocina, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, The Original El Taco and South City Kitchen Vinings. Find a full list of DOFL participants and make reservations here to help Open Hand serve its next millionth meal.

Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge

The first Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge is this week! July 21 through the 23 celebrate the eclectic business mix on Cheshire Bridge along with a variety of ethnic restaurants. Marissa is going to check it out and make a stop by Woodfire Grill to see Bernard, Nick, Kevin and the crew, so stay tuned for a recap!

Some details: Cheshire Bridge restaurants and businesses have pulled together to bring the community a fun three-day event complete with trolleys going up and down Cheshire Bridge Road for a tour of this one-of-a-kind street. Between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 21- 23, all participating restaurants will have tastings including appetizers, discounted prices/specials and all retail and specialty stores will have a raffle or silent auction.

Tickets are $15 for one evening or $30 for all 3 evenings and children seven and under are free. Tickets can be purchased here, in select stores or at the event. Stores with tickets: Antiques and Beyond, ChocoLate Coffee, Flora Dora, Las Margaritas, New Baby Products, Ninos Italian Restaurant, Rich Vision and Topaz Salon.

All proceeds will go to Open Hand.

17th Annual Dining Out for Life

Maybe dining out is a big event for you or maybe it’s something you do several times a week without really thinking about it. Sometimes those who need nutritious food the most can’t get out to get it. That’s where you step in and step out into one of Atlanta’s numerous restaurants participating in the 17th Annual Dining Out for Life on Wednesday, April 22 to benefit Open Hand.

Partcipants include great restaurants such as Fifth Group Restaurants’ South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings, Ecco, The Original El Taco and La Tavola Trattoria; Eclipse di Luna - Miami Circle and Park Place, Kozmo Gastro Pub, Aria and Portofino and Woodfire Grill.

Click here to make reservations and know that 20 percent of our tab is going straight to Open Hand’s work in our community. The organization helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care™, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life.

The Cook's Warehouse in Midtown Hosts Pre-holiday Sale and Celebration November 14

Two weeks until Thanksgiving then it's a blink until New Year's Day! Perfect timing for the Friday, November 14 pre-holiday sale at The Cook's Warehouse Midtown, featuring discounts on Wusthof Trident knives and 10 percent off on Staub enameled cast iron cookware. Shoppers who stop in between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. that evening can sample wine and appetizers, watch cooking demos by Chef Michael Harnage from Toulouse and Chef Tony Ballester from Morton's Buckhead, and meet Staub Cookware Marketing Manager Matt Mozzer. Harold Wüsthof, seventh generation knife maker and president of Wüsthof Trident knives, will be at the store throughout the day. Add some $5 raffle tickets to your shopping basket for chances to win prizes and help Open Hand.

Open Hand helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life.

The Cook's Warehouse - Midtown: 549-I Amsterdam Avenue; 404-815-4993.