Dallas Chefs Unite to Empower Justice-Involved Youth

Annual Chefs' Dinner Raises $40,000 for Culinary Arts Program

Youth With Faces held its annual Chefs’ Dinner on Sunday, October 6, at Encina Dallas, raising almost $40,000 for its Culinary Arts & Hospitality program. The event offered a once-in-a-lifetime internship experience for the nonprofit’s Culinary Arts students who shadowed seven of Dallas’s top chefs to prepare a multi-course meal for nearly 100 guests.  

The Chefs’ Dinner was hosted by Encina’s owners Corey McCombs and Chef Matt Balke. McCombs serves on the Youth With Faces Board of Directors and Balke is a long-time volunteer. The two have spearheaded chef recruiting for this annual fundraiser, which featured a talented lineup of chefs including Eric Dreyer (On Brand Hospitality), Matt Ford (Billy Can Can), Sharon Hage (SHage Consulting/York Street), Jared Harms (Duro Hospitality), Trerrell Johnson (Sweet Nothings & Pastries), and Michael Matis (Fearing’s). 

The event is a key component of Youth With Faces’ “Earn & Learn” program, which provides paid work opportunities for youth in juvenile placement. In addition to the internship experience, students undergo 10 weeks of culinary arts training under Culinary Program Manager Chef Alexis Rojas and Culinary Program Specialist Anna Miskis. Students also study food safety techniques and earn industry-recognized certifications, such as Food Handler and Food Manager, which give them a significant advantage when seeking employment in the food service industry upon returning to the community.

“Our culinary program thrives because of the incredible support and mentorship from the North Texas culinary community,” said Chris Quadri, CEO of Youth With Faces. “It’s a rare opportunity for teenagers to learn alongside some of the city’s top chefs. This event showcases the power of community, with chefs, volunteers, and sponsors joining to support second chances for justice-involved youth.”

The 2024 Chefs’ Dinner was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsors H-E-B and the Hoglund Foundation, along with other valued supporters including Haynes Boone, Ignite/Rebees, Oakwood Bank, Elleco Construction, Nikki Jacks, Jane MacAdams, Taylor and Jon O’Leary, Options Real Estate, Emily and Jim Sanford, Sheahan Communications, Skylight Solutions, Urban Hippie, and Letty and David Velarde.

In-kind sponsors included Brian Alden, Chefs For Farmers, Encina Dallas, Granada Theater, Chris Harrison, Chris Hopkins, Elizabeth Lavin, SNAPs Pastries, Spec’s, Taco y Vino, Texas Health Community Hope, Missy Watson, and Well Told Productions. The event committee included Matt Balke, Andrew Darling, Hannah Davis, Meagan Fearon, Andreas Keeton and Corey McCombs. 

The evening also featured a panel discussion with two Youth With Faces graduates, moderated by Hannah Davis, Television Host and Owner of Well Told Productions. They were joined by the agency’s Director of Programs, Dr. Jazminda Ryan, and Reentry Program Manager Kristin Kendrick, who shared insights into the impact of the program on students’ lives. 

“We are grateful for everyone who contributed their time and talents to this extraordinary learning opportunity and community celebration,” Quadri added.