This September, the kitchen heats up at Cooking for a Cause—our annual culinary showdown where up-and-coming chefs transform pantry staples and mystery ingredients into gourmet meals. While our chefs are battling it out on stage at Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, you can join the challenge from home.

We’re launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise an additional $10,000 for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry—and we need your help.

Here’s why:

The Friends In Deed Food Pantry is the largest in Pasadena, serving hundreds of households every single week.
In July, we set a new record, serving over 700 households in one week.
The cost of living keeps rising, and more families than ever are turning to us for support.
UPDATE: Over the weekend, our large freezer died. And we need funds to replace this crucial appliance!

It costs just $70 to provide a family of four with groceries for a week. Imagine what we can do together when we reach our $10,000 goal. That’s enough to feed nearly 160 families for a week!

💚 How you can take part:

Donate at any level—every gift makes a real difference.
Share this page with your friends and family.

Let’s raise our forks, fill plates, and fight hunger together.

Cooking for a Cause 2026: The $10K Challenge

Every $70 feeds a family of four for a week