The Evolved Network Plans an Ethiopian Feast
Plus, the Elawa Farm non-profit seeks a resident chef
Siga Wat’s Up at Next Evolved Network Fundraiser
The news is out about my friend Sebastian White’s next fundraising dinner for his non-profit, The Evolved Network. And this latest in Chicago’s tastiest series of charitable events — aimed at helping underprivileged youth — features an all-star team of chefs.
The dinner will take place on Tuesday, April 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Demera Ethiopian Restaurant (4801 W. Broadway) in the Uptown neighborhood. Sebastian is collaborating on the menu (see graphic below) with Chefs Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe and Tigist Reda, chef/owner of Demera. Pastry Chef Casey Doody of GT Prime will create the evening’s dessert.
In case you’re wondering about the “siga wat” reference in the headline, it’s a stewed beef dish in spicy berbere sauce that is part of the fourth course on the menu. I can’t wait to try it.
At the bottom of the menu, you’ll find the local farms from which ingredients are being sourced for the dinner.
The Evolved Network is currently providing cooking lessons and food education in several Chicago schools while raising money to meet Sebastian’s goal of creating a holistic program that provides underprivileged youths with restaurant, urban farming and business skills while providing them access to therapeutic services as needed.
Sebastian is a clinical psychologist who previously worked in a gang diversion program, and is a mostly self-taught cook. He has prospered from the support and mentorship of Sarah Stegner, who is mentioned often in Local Food Forum as one of the co-founders of the Chicago Chefs Cook fundraiser tasting events.
That program also connected Sebastian with Tigist Reda, who was the inspiration for the Chicago Chefs Cook for Tigray held last September. (Tigist is a native of Tigray, where a civil war against the Ethiopian government created a humanitarian crisis).
Click the button below to get tickets for the event.
The Evolved Network on TV
I have written often about Sebastian with quotes about his important project. But here’s an opportunity to hear him speak for himself, during an appearance Thursday (March 22) on WGN-TV’s Daytime Chicago program.
Elawa Farm in Lake Forest Seeks Resident Chef
Elawa Farm, a non-profit located in north suburban Lake Forest, gathers community through food and agriculture with a sustainable farm, weekly market, learning kitchen, and educational programming. The folks there are currently seeking to hire a resident chef who is interested on cooking on a farm with hyperlocal ingredients just feet from their kitchen.
This position offers the opportunity for an experienced chef or kitchen manager to work in a unique and beautiful setting, utilizing the freshest, highest quality ingredients from Elawa Farm and our farming community, while enjoying a greater work-life balance than many culinary jobs. This position is full-time, salaried, and provides health insurance and matching 401(k) plan.
Click the button below to access the job posting and apply by the deadline of April 21.
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Proud mom of Sebastian White of The Evolved Network. Residing in DeSoto, Texas.