Support the mission of Fork Real Café by bidding on a unique meal, dessert, or class curated by your own personal chef during this special event.

Join us Saturday, October 11, 2025, at The Box, Salon A, at 5:00 pm for the 4th Annual Chef’s Dinner Auction. We are proud to bring this special evening to life, featuring delicious food samples, live music, a chance to bid and win a meal or dessert prepared by your own personal chef, and other exciting silent auction opportunities.

Grab Your Tickets Here

Meet the chefs for the 2025 chef’s dinner auction

Check back soon and follow us on social media, as we will be adding more chefs in the coming weeks!

Adriana Pingel

Culinary Instructor & Cultural Cuisine Specialist

Adriana Pingel is a culinary expert whose vibrant heritage and lifelong passion for cooking have shaped a career rooted in flavor, tradition, and community. Born in Venezuela to an Italian mother and a Lebanese father, Adriana was immersed from an early age in a rich tapestry of culinary influences. Her childhood home revolved around the kitchen—a place not only for preparing meals but for gathering, storytelling, and celebration.

SAMPLING MENU
Babaganush and pita bread

UP FOR AUCTION
A Lebanese Cuisine Cooking Class for 4 with wine & printed recipes for each of the guests.

Deb Baker

Cooking has always been Deb’s happy place, especially when she gets to share meals with her precious family and friends. While she claims to be “far from a professional chef”, she loves experimenting in the kitchen and pouring her heart into every dish. For Deb, food is about connection, laughter, and creating memories around the table.

SAMPLING MENU
Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts and cucumber smoked salmon cream cheese bites

UP FOR AUCTION
A delicious 5 Course Gourmet Dinner for 8, featuring Beef Wellington

The Women’s Ministry of Rimrock Downtown

This fantastic group of women is based out of Rimrock Downtown in Rapid City

SAMPLING MENU
Mini Birthday Cupcakes

UP FOR AUCTION
Little Chef Themed Birthday party & Cuisine Class for up to 15

Sponsored by Dakota Business Insurance Group LLC

Chris Powers

Before retiring in 2021, Chris began to explore hobby opportunities as he knew he needed to keep busy upon retiring. Upon receiving brewing equipment as a gift from his wife in 2019 he made his first batch and has never bought beer again.

SAMPLING MENU
Beer Cheese made with Home Brew

UP FOR AUCTION
A home brew brewing experience! The Auction winner will brew and bottle their very own batch of beer (2 cases). The sessions will be held at Fork Real and will be spaced out 6-8 weeks, depending upon the recipe chosen by the winner.

April Malik

April Malik teaches Culinary Arts ProStart at Stevens High School. Since 2010, she and her five daughters have owned and operated Rapid City’s Thai To-Go, a pre-order Thai food business, serving family-sized meals to-go. April gained her knowledge of Thai Cuisine from living in Thailand with her family for 5 years, and being raised by her Thai step-mom, who graciously shared her knowledge. April speaks Thai and often visits her brother, who calls Thailand home. She loves offering hands-on experiences with food for guests to participate in and connect.

SAMPLING MENU
DIY Fresh Thai Rolls

UP FOR AUCTION
A Fresh Thai Roll Cuisine Class for up to 15 attendees at Someone’s in the Kitchen.

Dave Pearcy

Dave is a veteran of the US Air Force after serving 22 years of active duty. Dave continues his air traffic control career today at Rapid City airport. Dave knows his way around the kitchen thanks to his Aunt Pat. She introduced him to making homemade fudge and lemon pound cake. In fact, if you’ve ever had the lemon-blueberry cheesecake from Fork Real, you can thank Aunt Pat for sparking Dave’s obsession for almost anything with lemon in it!

SAMPLING MENU
Gator & Gumbo

UP FOR AUCTION
The Chef’s Dinner Auction’s now famous Smoked Gator & Authentic Gumbo!

Sponsored by Morgan Stanley/Meagan Wallen Group

Izzy Evans

SAMPLING MENU
Mini Truffles

UP FOR AUCTION
A Truffle Making Class for up to 10 people!

Peter Mitchell

Owner of The SOUR: A Bakery
Peter Mitchell is the owner and operator of The Sour, a nationally acclaimed bakery and patisserie. Known for its dedication to craft and creativity, The Sour has been celebrated by The New York Times as one of the best bakeries in the country and named the best in the state by Food & Wine and The Takeout.

Under Mitchell’s leadership, The Sour has become a destination where tradition and innovation come together, offering breads and pastries that have earned both critical praise and a loyal community following.

SAMPLING MENU
A Variety of Sourdough breads & pastries

UP FOR AUCTION
A Monthly The Sour Basket delivered to business of choice for 10 months

Brad Baker

Owner of Honey-Do BBQ

Brad has had a passion for barbecue his whole life. The craft, the patience, and the flavor you can create with smoke and fire have always been a part of who Brad is. After years of honing his skills, he started competing in Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) events and has been fortunate enough to take home top honors at local and state BBQ festival cook-offs. Brad’s proudest moment came in 2021 when his ribs won 1st place against a field of seven former World Champions. It was an incredible experience and one he’ll never forget.

While barbecue is his main passion, Brad’s life outside the smokehouse is just as full. He runs a successful sheep farm and helps operate his family's ranch and cattle operation. When it's time to unwind, you can find Brad ice fishing. He loves the quiet and the challenge of it, and he is proud to participate in Hooked on Hardwater, a collaboration with The Club for Boys. When Brad’s not on the ice, you can find him on the trails—mountain and gravel biking are a great way for him to clear his head and get out in nature.

“I'm honored to be cooking for Fork Real's 2025 Chef's Dinner Auction event. I can't wait to share my love for barbecue with you all.” - Brad Baker

SAMPLING MENU
Coming Soon

UP FOR AUCTION
Superbowl Smoked Ribs & Wings for up to 20 people. (Smoker arrives at your location at noon on Superbowl Sunday, with an optional masterclass to cook ribs and chicken wings!)

Molly Pope

Teacher at RCAS

Molly Pope is a dedicated teacher in RCAS, and mom of 2, Cody and Kailee.

SAMPLING MENU
Homemade Bagels

UP FOR AUCTION
A Bagel/Pretzel making class for up to 10 people!

Rockside Ranch

Matt & Katura Veal have been the directors of Rockside Ranch of the Black Hills for over 2.5 years.

The students at Rockside Ranch are overcoming crises in their life while living on the ranch. The ranch fosters responsibility and compassion. Students experience a rare physical connection to life and land that is both deeply challenging and highly redemptive. Students take part in growing and raising their own food, cutting and burning their own heat, and identifying and solving a host of problems that come with living so close to the land and to one another.

As part of their transformation, the students engage in community service throughout the Black Hills. At Fork Real Cafe, the guys assist in preparing meals while learning kitchen skills for home and the workforce.

SAMPLING MENU
Chicken and Dumplings

UP FOR AUCTION
Smoked Chicken Dinner for 12 at the Ranch!

Sponsored by TOMAC & TOMAC Elder Law & Estate Planning

Fork Real Food Truck

The Fork Real food truck hit the streets in 2022 to help reach the community with the pay-what-you-can opportunities.

Since then, they have connected with the food truck community by serving at Canyon Lake’s Family Food Truck Tuesday Nights as well as BH Harley’s Spring/Fall Fest.

Dave makes sure the truck is ready for serving and runs the cash register, and Isaac has been our food truck chef for 2025, preparing quick and delicious meals from the truck.

SAMPLING MENU
Chicken Teriyaki & Rice

UP FOR AUCTION
Bring the Fork Real Food Truck to your home or business for up to 30 people!

Meet the Chefs of Our Fourth Annual Chef's Dinner Auction