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Better Hurry: Two Tables Left to Feb. 25’s Citywide Foodie Philanthropy Dinner

By David ArkinFebruary 9, 2023March 1st, 2023No Comments

Better Hurry: Two Tables Left to Feb. 25’s Citywide Foodie Philanthropy Dinner

By Scott Nishimura

Want to grab a table at this year’s Foodie Philanthropy citywide party Feb. 25 to benefit a Wish with Wings? Better hurry. There are only two tables left.

Patrons have snapped up the 35 tables since Foodie Philanthropy, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit founded by Joanna and Michael Crain, made them available for sale in early January. The two available: Savor Culinary Services in North Richland Hills, at $1,500 for the 10-seat table; and Rodeo Goat, the West Side hamburger joint, at $750 for the 10-seat table.

Gross proceeds benefit a Wish With Wings, the Fort Worth nonprofit that fulfills wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses and conditions.

“For us to be maximizing the work they do is incredible,” Joanna Crain said in an interview. “This is about raising money for one night, but it’s also about raising awareness and volunteers.”

The Crains co-founded Foodie Philanthropy when they lived in Beijing years ago and restarted it when they moved later to Fort Worth. Michael Crain was chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing in President George W. Bush’s administration.

Foodie Philanthropy is in its eighth year in Fort Worth, having raised $293,000 for its charities in the first seven years. The organization raised a record $69,300 last year for Methodist Justice Ministry.

“We’re looking to match that, if not beat that, this year,” Joanna Crain said.

The concept is simple. Restaurants and chefs donate a table for 10, with a minimum three-course meal and alcoholic beverage pairings, which Foodie Philanthropy sells to raise money for its charity of choice. Table hosts can pay for the entire table, or buy it and have Foodie Philanthropy send invoices to the host’s guests for their seats.

Thirty four restaurants donated tables this year, including Magdalena’s, the North Side supper club, which donated its usual two, Crain said. Tables were available at up to $2,500, with $3,500 corporate sponsorships available that permitted priority choice of restaurant.

The ticket price includes meal and beverages to the Feb. 25 dinner and admission to an after party for guests of all tables. Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. is hosting this year’s after party. A la carte tickets to the party, which includes an open bar, are available at $40 apiece.

This year’s restaurant partners include: B&B Butcher’s & Restaurant; Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine; The Capital Grille; City Works Eatery and Pour House; Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse; Del Frisco’s Grille; Don Artemio Mexican Heritage; Eddie V’s Prime Seafood; Enchiladas Ole’; Fitzgerald; Fort Brewery; Fort Worth Club; Hao; Hot Box Biscuit Club; Joe T. Garcia’s; Los Vaqueros Restaurant Stockyards; Magadena’s; Mira Vista Country Club; Pearl Snap Kolaches; Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille; Reata; Rise; Rodeo Goat; Savor Culinary Services; Shinjuku Station; Stone House; Taste Community Restaurant; Tokyo Café; ToroToro; Tre Mogli Cucina Italiana; Tributary Café; Waters Restaurant; and Wishbone & Flynt.

To get into this year’s Foodie Philanthropy dinner and party: foodiephilanthropy.org