Dine out, do good: An all-star edition

Final reminder: An all-star edition -- with notable chefs from around the Southeast -- of dinners to avert childhood hunger happens Sept. 20 at Mimosa Grill.

Mimosa executive chef Jon Fortes hosts; visiting chefs are Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston (and of the upcoming Season 2, premiering on PBS Oct. 5, of "A Chef's Life"); Colin Bedford of Fearrington House in Pittsboro; Jay Swift of Atlanta's 4th & Swift; and Joe Trull of Grits and Groceries in Belton, S.C.

Cost is $175 and proceeds go toward national hunger relief group Share Our Strength's effort to end childhood hunger. (You can also become a sponsor, at varying levels.

On the menu:

Passed appetizers from Fortes, including Springer Mountain chicken "ballontine" (with country ham, preserved apricot and sage); N.C. Shrimp Tacos with pickled Harmony Ridge cabbage; Tobaccoville beet carpaccio with local beans, citrus and Looking Glass goat cheese; and Wagyu beef gougere with Ashe County cheddar pimento cheese.

First course from Bedford: Yuzu crab salad with black-pepper-poached pineapple, celery root, truffle and crispy tapioca, and Avant Sauvignon Blanc

Second course, from Howard: Carolina Gold red rice with crispy okra and green tomato vinaigrette, and Carmel Road Unoaked Chardonnay

Third course, from Swift: Crispy Heritage Farms pork shank with jowl bacon succotash, hot muscadine mostarda, and Belcreme de Lys Pinot Noir

Fourth course, from Trull: Apple and fig bread pudding with cider caramel, candied cashews and Jorge Ordinez Special


327 S. Tryon St.; info: Adele Nelson, anelson@strength.org, 202-594-3595.