More than 25 all-star chefs will cook at annual Dim Sum + Give Some charity event

Dim Sum and Give Some, the ultimate food-lovers festival that brings together top culinary talents including James Beard winners and nominees, Michelin-starred chefs, and even a “Top Chef” champion, is back this year — and returning to its original format. 

On March 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway, more than 25 chefs from across the Midwest (and one from California) will unite under one roof to showcase their talents and raise money for the Kennedy’s Disease Association. 

Chefs Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of EsterEv and DanDan organize the event. In 2016 — the same year he opened DanDan — Jacobs was diagnosed with Kennedy’s Disease, a neuromuscular condition similar to ALS that causes muscle atrophy and slowly deteriorates the ability to swallow, speak, walk and use hands for everyday tasks. 

"Aside from raising money to find a cure for Kennedy's Disease, this event is another way that I hope to inspire people who are differently-abled to pursue their passions, especially in the culinary world where physical constraints can be a big barrier,” Jacobs said in a statement. 

Since his diagnosis, Jacobs has raised more than $90,000 for Kennedy’s Disease research and awareness while running two restaurants. 

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The event was first held in 2017 as a cocktail-style format. This year, after a couple years hosting the event as a seated dinner, Dim Sum and Give Some will return to a walk-around format, with each participating chef serving small-plate dishes from separate tasting booths. The event gives guests a chance to taste food from star chefs from Milwaukee and beyond. 

Beyond Jacobs and Van Rite, Milwaukee chefs participating are Gregory Leon of Amilinda, Paul Bartolotta of Bartolotta Restaurant Group, Karen Bell of Bavette La Boucherie, Kyle Knall of Birch, Joe Muench of Black Shoe Hospitality, Kurt Fogle of Dairyland, Dane Baldwin of The Diplomat, Paul Zerkel and Lisa Kirkpatrick of Goodkind, Adam Siegel of Lupi and Iris, Sam Ek and Ross Bachhuber of Odd Duck, Justin Aprahamian of Sanford, Kyle Toner of Sorella, Mitch Ciohon of Taco Moto and Dooby Dogs, and Kristen Schwab of The Wolf on Broadway. 

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Chefs representing restaurants outside Milwaukee include Chicago chefs Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat (and winner of “Top Chef” season four), Joe Flamm of Rose Mary (and winner of "Top Chef" season 15), Zach Engel of Galit, Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, Kaleena Bliss of Cindy's Rooftop, and Soo Ahn of Adalina.  

Other participating chefs include Tory Miller of L'Etoile in Madison; Thomas Hauck of the Immigrant Room at the American Club in Kohler; Nelson German of alaMar Dominican Kitchen in Oakland, California; and Elena Terry of Wild Bearies, a Wisconsin Dells-based nonprofit group focused on promoting ancestral foods.

Tickets to Dim Sum + Give Some are $100 per person, which includes tastings from each chef and two drink tickets. A cash bar will be open during the event and a cash raffle will be held. Tickets can be purchased online at kennedysdisease.org/fundraising/dim-some-give-some.html.