Pilot Light’s annual Feed Your Mind Gala, is one of Chicago’s most anticipated fundraising & culinary events. Guests will experience a one-of-a-kind evening featuring a meal crafted by Chicago’s most sought-after culinary stars and help feed our mission to bring the power of food into classrooms across the country.
2026 Feed Your Mind Presenting Partner:
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
This year’s Feed Your Mind Gala will feature a special chef-at-your-table-style event, allowing guests to enjoy a personal experience with an all-star chef preparing their meal tableside. This event format is a Pilot Light signature experience that guests won’t find anywhere else!
This mix of award-winning chefs from diverse culinary backgrounds creates an unforgettable dining experience for guests while raising funds to invest in the future of Food Education. No other event offers the opportunity to share a room and eat the food of multiple James Beard Award winners and Rising Stars while also giving back to the community.
We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Feed Your Mind Tableside Chef Lineup, curated by our Founding Chefs, Matthias Merges, Jason Hammel, Paul Kahan, and Justin Large
- Rick Bayless – Frontera Grill / Topolobampo — Multiple James Beard Award wins & recognitions; Top Chef Masters winner; Michelin-recognized background
- Lena Ciardullo – Union Square Cafe — five-time James Beard Award winning restaurant; nine-time Zagat Survey Most Popular Restaurant list
- Beverly Kim & Johnny Clark – Parachute Hifi, Anelya, AlleyWay Grill — James Beard Award winners; Michelin-recognized; Bon Appetit national “Best New Restaurants” list
- Thai Dang – HaiSous, Crying Tiger — Three-time James Beard semifinalist (Best Chef: Great Lakes); James Beard Leadership & Resilience award 2021; National Chef Advisor for U.S. Food Asian Cuisine 2019
- Curtis Duffy – Ever — 3 Michelin-starred chef; James Beard Award winner (Best Chef: Great Lakes)
- Zach Engel – Galit, Cafe Yaya — James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year (2017); Michelin star (Galit)
- Carlos Gaytan — Tzuco — First chef of Mexican descent to ever win a Michelin star; Multiple Jean Banchet Awards; Michelin Guide-recognized background
- Tim Flores & Genie Kwon – Kasama — James Beard Award winners; Michelin star (Kasama)
- Rob Levitt – Publican Quality Meats — Renowned butcher; national media recognition & Michelin-recognition
- John Manion – El Che Steakhouse, Brasero — Chef of the Year, Jean Banchet Awards 2026; James Beard semifinalist; “Best Steakhouses” Chicago Magazine cover restaurant
- Tony Priolo – Piccolo Sogno — Michelin-recognized background; James Beard nominee
- Doug Psaltis – Andros Taverna, Asador Bastian, Mano a Mano — Michelin-star chef, World’s Best Steakhouse list #14 (Asador Bastian)
- John Shields – Smyth — Michelin-starred chef; Charlie Trotter’s alumni; “Best New Chef” Food & Wine Magazine winner; James Beard semifinalist
- José Sosa – The Greggory — Best Suburbs Restaurant Chicago Tribune 2026; World’s Best Steakhouse #33
- Sarah Stegner – Prairie Grass Cafe — James Beard Award winner (Rising Star Chef)
- Courtney Storer – The Bear — Culinary producer; Emmy-winning series contributor
- Giuseppe Tentori — GT Prime Steakhouse — Michelin-recognized; James Beard nominee; Charlie Trotter’s alumni; Food and Wine “Best New Chef”
- Paul Virant – Petite Vie Brasserie, Vistro Prime, Gaijin — Multiple-time James Beard finalist; Food and Wine “Best New Chef”; Michelin star (Vie); Jean Banchet Chef of the Year 2024
- Lee Wolen – BOKA Group, Alla Vita — Michelin star; multiple James Beard semifinalist; 2014 Chef of the Year (Chicago Tribune)
Appetizer Chefs:
- Carlos Lopez – Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine
- Lawrence Letrero – Bayan Ko, Bayan Ko Diner
Dessert Chefs:
- Jorge Kauam – Gutenberg, Vitasana
- Courtney Kenyon – Obelix, Le Bouchon
- Justin Lerias – DelSur Bakery
Guest Bartenders:
- Jeremy Barrett – Lemon
- Peter Vestinos – Sparrow, Bisous
- Abraham Ramirez – La Licor
Thank you to your generous 2026 Feed Your Mind Gala Sponsors!
