“Dine Out for Maui” Kicks off August 17

Local chefs unite to raise funds for those affected by Maui wildfires

PHOENIX (August 15, 2023) — Knife & Fork Media Group, in partnership with six local chefs, invites Arizonans to “Dine out for Maui,” this August. Each participating restaurant’s chefs have been touched by Hawaii in some way — from living there to memorable visits. As such, they all have a place in their hearts for the people and the land of the 50th state.

“I have spent a lot of time on Maui and specifically in Lahaina. The tragedy is still unfolding but has claimed countless lives of our fellow American citizens and the loss is monumental. Anything we can do to give back to a place that has created immeasurable memories for many of us, we are stepping up and ready to do it,” said Susie Timm, CEO of Knife & Fork Media Group.

“If you have visited Hawaii and experienced the joy and magic, please consider attending one of these important events or simply donating directly to the Hawai’i Community Foundation’s ‘Maui Strong,’ Fund,” Timm continued. “No amount is too little. Every penny will help our fellow citizens rebuild their lives.”

Most of the proceeds from the following events will go directly to the Hawai’i Community Foundation and the “Maui Strong” Fund. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Go Fund Me fundraisers of multiple families several of the chefs know personally through their connections to Maui.

  • Crujiente Tacos (3961 E. Camelback Rd.) will donate 100% of the proceeds from their Pork Belly Tacos ($7) on Sunday, August 20 from noon until 4:00 p.m. at their walk-up window (while supplies last).
  • For the week of August 21, Rusconi’s American Kitchen (10637 N. Tatum Blvd.) will donate a portion of the proceeds from their Pork Tenderloin entrée to the cause. (They are open Tuesday-Sunday.)
  • Kaizen, located inside the Lawrence (515 E. Grant St.), will offer a $1200 dining experience as a raffle item. Details will be available on their website, kaizenphx.com, after August 21. The raffle will run for a week and all proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the fundraiser.
  • Original Breakfast House (13623 N. 32nd St) will host a fundraiser on August 26 and 27 with food specials, live music, a raffle and more! Details will be posted on their Facebook page the week of August 21. OBH has also launched its Aloha for Maui menu, a nod to its annual Spirit of Aloha month. The menu is now available and 40% of proceeds from selections on the menu will go directly to the fund. The Aloha for Maui menu features delicious and hearty Hawaiian-inspired specials made with lots of aloha such as Loco Moco, Kalua Pork Benedict, Hawaiian Fried Rice with SPAM, Hawaiian Pancakes, traditional Hawaiian Lunch Plates and more.
  • Chula Seafood is hosting a raffle for a $500 gift card with a $5 minimum donation; every additional $5 donated will serve as another entry. (For example, a $20 donation equates to four entries.) All money collected from the raffle will be donated to the fundraiser. The raffle will start on August 21. Entries are accepted in store (at any Chula location) or online at chulaseafood.com.
  • Vecina (3433 North 56th Street) is running a special featuring a short rib barbacoa taco with sweet corn and Anaheim chilis for $20 from Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20. 100% of the proceeds from this dish will be donated to the fundraiser.

The state of Hawaii has actively recommended donations to the Maui Strong Fund and more information on this charity can be found at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org. Please send any questions to susie@knifeandforkmedia.com.