Chef’s Dinner Auction

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

Join us Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Dahl Arts Center at 5:00 pm for the 2nd Annual Chef’s Dinner Auction. This special evening will feature delicious food samples and a chance to bid and win a meal or dessert prepared by your own personal chef. We will also be offering the opportunity to purchase Dessert Raffle tickets for a chance to win an event-exclusive creation from the Café.

All proceeds from the event support Fork Real Community Café in their mission to reduce hunger and improve food security.

Tickets: $50/per person

 

Purchase Your TicketS

If you are unable to attend the night’s event, please consider making a donation here.


Chef’s Auction Emcee
Helen Usera

 

PROGRAM DETAILS

5:00 pm - Social Hour

Meet with the chefs and sample the food to bid on during the Live Auction while you enjoy music by AJ Andrew Bearid.

6:00 pm - Program Begins
Be sure to get your cheesecake raffle tickets!

6:30 pm - Live Auction Begins

7:30 pm - Closing

 

Throughout the night, purchase raffle tickets to win one of our special auction cheesecakes & desserts!
These specialty treats are paired with locally sourced items.


Thank You To Our Sponsors

 

Meet the 2023 Chefs & Their Menus/Experiences Up For Bid

 
 

BRENDA PATES

Brenda is the queen of desserts and she will have a sampling of her famous baklava at this year’s chef auction.

SAMPLING MENU
Baklava

UP FOR AUCTION
4 specialty desserts
Available for pick up

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by BMS Financial Advisors.


 

DANIEL VORHEES

The Rustic Chef

Chef Daniel Voorhees grew up in The Black Hills of South Dakota before moving to Colorado, and attending Culinary School of the Rockies, now Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. His passion stems from cooking in the kitchen with his mother, Dana. He prides himself with creating from local protein and produce as much as possible. Daniel has been apart of the culinary world for over 18 years.

SAMPLING MENU
Holiday Charcuterie Board

UP FOR AUCTION
Holiday Charcuterie Board

 

This chef is sponsored by the Farmhouse Barn.


 

DAVE PEARCY

Fork Real Food Truck

Dave grew up in Lakeland, FL. In 1988, he found himself joining the Air Force and marrying his high-school sweetheart, Rhonda.

When it comes to food, Dave credits his Aunt Pat for teaching him baking lessons during his younger years. In fact, he stole her recipes for lemon pound cake and walnut fudge. This is where his "love" for lemon comes from. Besides steak & potatoes, Dave has an appetite for anything with an asian flair. 

When Dave is asked about his restaurant experience, he says, "I never thought I'd be in the restaurant business. I've simply followed Rhonda into a vision and a mission, making positive opportunities possible for others in a unique way.”

SAMPLING MENU
Fettuccine Alfredo

UP FOR AUCTION
Pick 2 main items from food truck menu
Party in the parking lot for up to 30 people

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Black Hills Tire.


 

JASON GOLDEN

Originally from up state New York, Jason is active in the Air Force and has traveled the world trying a variety of cuisine. He will be bringing a bit of wild to our fundraiser! It’s a dish you won’t want to miss out on.

SAMPLING MENU
Smoked Gator, Potatoes,
and Mexican Street Corn

UP FOR AUCTION
Smoked Gator, Roasted Potatoes, and Roasted Street Corn • Dinner for up to 6 people delivered to you or cooked on site!

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by ARC International.


 

JIM GARLAND

James Garland, Head Chef at Fork Real Community Café, boasts a diverse professional background. Following his graduation from Central in the late ‘90s, he enjoyed a successful career up and down the west coast as a Creative Director and brand builder.

Despite his corporate achievements, Jim found peace in the culinary world. His transition into food began as a consultant for food startups, leading to a deep passion for people, food, and culture. Since his return to the Black Hills in 2022, he has worked along side top talent at the Delmonico Grill and Black Hills Energy Café.

Chef Jimmy's mission revolves around giving back and addressing hunger through the power of food. Inspired by the example set by Jesus, he seeks to nourish the body, mind, and soul by fostering authentic conversation that leads to lasting healing.

In his view, good food is good medicine.

SAMPLING MENU
Shrimp Boil

UP FOR AUCTION
Shrimp Boil, Baguettes, Slaw, and Peach Cobbler
Feeds up to 20 people • event hosted at Café

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Black Hills Energy.


 

JEFF SLATHAR, CWPC

Jeff is professionally trained and a certified Chef by industry standard — the American Culinary Federation. His passion is to prepare food properly, creatively, appealingly and safely. Jeff displays constant ambition by reaching out to young and old in our community to mentor, teach and inspire an appreciation for the culinary arts. From crème brulee to slow smoked brisket, challah and steak Diane—from personalized table side flambe to catering for 300 people—Jeff has enjoyed a challenging 23-year career.

SAMPLING MENU
Flambé bananas foster with crepe

UP FOR AUCTION
5 course dinner for 4 • Enjoy a caesar salad, asparagus, potatoes, prime rib Steak Diane and bananas foster prepared table side

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Black Hills Community Bank & Kieffer Family Dental.


 

KAREN ANAGNOSTOPULOS

Catered by Karen A.

Karen creates stunning, unique and fresh grazing boards & tables for all sorts of special events and parties. She loves what she does and aims to take the stress out of catering for her customers.

SAMPLING MENU
Charcuterie Board

UP FOR AUCTION
2 Charcuterie Boards in 2024 • To be Delivered to You!

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Timmons Market.


 

MIKE JUBIE

Mike grew up on the Oregon coast where he married his high-school sweetheart Susan. Mike is an avid salt water fishermen, which has led his love for Alaskan waters. He has spent the last 26 years fishing and guiding Alaska’s salt water, rivers and streams and enjoys sharing the catch with everyone.

SAMPLING MENU
Grilled salmon bites

UP FOR AUCTION
Salmon dinner for 4 • Grilled salmon, potatoes, and salad

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Scull Construction.

Huge “THANK YOU!” to Scheels for donating a Pit Boss 1100 Grill for this chef’s auction package.


 

MIRANDA MALEKI

SAMPLING MENU
Brownie Bites

UP FOR AUCTION
Sky-high Picnic for 2 • Enjoy a flight over Mt. Rushmore then enjoy your picnic together after your adventure

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by West Jet.


 

The PSzanka Family

Our family absolutely adores the wonderful tradition of cooking and eating together. It's a time where we come together, not just to nourish our bodies, but also to create lasting memories and deepen our bond. Each family member contributes their unique touch, be it a shadow boxing for kitchen clean up or a secret ingredient passed down through generations. As we gather around the table sharing stories from our day, we create a tapestry of love and togetherness that makes every bite even more flavorful. Cooking and eating together has become a cherished tradition, a celebration of our unity and appreciation for the delicious journey of life.

SAMPLING MENU
Meatballs

UP FOR AUCTION
A Spaghetti Splash Dinner at the Café (up to 40 people)

 

This chef family is sponsored by Eberl Claim Services.


 

RHONDA PEARCY

Fork Real Community Café

One of Rhonda's love languages is preparing great meals that feed the soul. "When we can come together at the table, great things can happen.”

SAMPLING MENU
Videla Salad & Sage Biscuits

UP FOR AUCTION
A romantic outdoor dinner for 2 with a 1 night stay in a Black Hills Cabin.
Dinner includes: Bison with rosemary potatoes, roasted veggies, sage biscuits & seasonal dessert

 

This chef is sponsored by D&M Ag Supply.


 

TESSIE HAWKINS

Fork Real Community Café

Tessie grew up learning to cook from her grandmother, as well as her godmother Sharon. Sharon taught Tessie the joy of cooking for family, as well as for others. She graduated from The Culinary Institute of South Dakota at Mitchell Technical Institute in 2009 and turned that passion into a career. She worked in kitchens professionally from 2009 until taking a break in 2014. During this time Tessie pursued her passion for cooking and people by being an active board member and volunteer for Fork Real Café. In March of 2021, she took on the role of Kitchen Manager for Fork Real and has been loving her time with the café as a full-time staff member. She loves to cook for her family and friends, but is more than happy to have her husband take over at home.

SAMPLING MENU
Roasted turkey
& mashed potatoes

UP FOR AUCTION
Thanksgiving Dinner of Roasted Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Butter Corn, Rolls, and Pumpkin Pie • Feeds a family of 8 • to be delivered to you on Thanksgiving Day!

 

This chef is proudly sponsored by Tomac & Tomac.


 

VINNIE TOMLIN

With over 40 years of award-winning experience, Vinnie is a pastry specialist with an artistic eye. Featured as a guest on the Discovery Channel, Food Network, and countless food-centric magazines, We are excited to have her at the 2nd annual Fork Real Café Chef’s Auction!

SAMPLING MENU
A variety of cakes

UP FOR AUCTION
4 fabulous cakes any time throughout 2024

 

This chef is sponsored by Lusk Construction.