Good food for a good cause

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Dozens of chefs from local restaurants--and places like New York City and California--are combining forces Monday night for a good cause.

They'll be preparing all sorts of food and drinks for an event to raise money to fight childhood hunger.

"Share Our Strength" is a national fundraiser sponsoring the event to benefit the "No Kid Hungry" program. The program helps feed children in America who don't get enough to eat.

Congress, Congress Bar, and Second Bar + Kitchen will close to the public Monday night to host the event.

Twelve local chefs and four chefs from around the country are coming together to bring food, drinks and an overall good time to everyone who comes. All the proceeds go to help "No Kid Hungry."

At Carillon in Austin, Executive Chef Josh Watkins is whipping up a very Texas-centric dish--complete with multiple corn ingredients and peppers.

Watkins said he's proud to be a part of a fundraiser where he gets to do what he loves for a bigger cause.

"I'm a cook by craft, by nature, it's just kind of in my blood. So, to be able to do that and make people happy is why I got into to it. So, to take it a few steps further and be able to provide food and hopefully some noteriety to "Share Our Strength" and raise more money for children that need to eat, you know, that makes it all the better. It's really special for all of us," said Watkins.

At Congress, Bar Congress, and Second Bar + Kitchen, Chef David Bull is preparing a poached egg with sausage and basil and other seasonings--all served up in a cute egg shell!

As the host of the fundraiser, Bull said they'll have rooms dedicated to pastries, cocktails, savory foods and more--plus a raffle room.

He said the event serves as a good reminder to step up and help those less fortunate.

"I have five children myself, so, it goes without saying that sometimes we take our food for granted--when we see a full refrigerator or are able to go to the grocery store. I know my grocery bill is pretty outrageous. so, when it comes to children not having the opportunity to find food on a daily basis, we should take it personally, and I think it's important that as chefs in the restaurant community that we take the responsibility very seriously and try to do what we can to feed the kids of Texas," said Bull.

No Kid Hungry" Fundraising Event:
Location: 200 Congress Avenue
When: Monday -- admittance at 6:30 p.m. for general admission and 5:30 p.m. for VIP admission
Cost: $175 VIP and $100 General

Tickets are available. Go to their website to purchase.