Food For Thought’s latest endeavor in the fight against child hunger, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Full Circle Kitchen, is now open and Food For Thought is excited to announce their newest fundraiser – the Thoughtful Dinner Series to be held in the newly renovated space.

“The Full Circle Kitchen was created to help provide skills and additional sources of food to some of the most at-risk students in Okaloosa and Walton counties by providing a variety of classes – some open to the public, and some life skills classes available for students,” said Tiffanie Nelson, Founder & Executive Director of Food For Thought.

“When guests purchase tickets to the Thoughtful Dinner Series, that ticket helps pay for a child to attend classes in the future.”

The first dinner will be held on October 19th at 7 pm in the Full Circle Kitchen on 132 Market Street.

Each five course dinner with wine pairings – one each Fall, and one each Spring – will feature a different local guest chef and culinary team.

Food For Thought is honored to announce Chef Jim Shirley as the first chef for the “Thoughtful Dinner Series.” Nationally recognized restaurateur Chef Jim Shirley is owner of the Great Southern Café, 45 Central, and The Meltdown on 30A in Seaside, Florida, The Bay in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Baytowne Provisions in Sandestin, Florida. He is also the co-owner of Great Southern Restaurants, which owns The Fish House, The Atlas Oyster House, and The Fish House Deck Bar in Pensacola, Florida.

Chef Jim uses Southern accents with great skill and spirit, traveling far afield to graze and glean, absorb culinary ideas, select fine wines, and look for pockets of sustainable farming practices. As a Pensacola native, Chef Jim uses his knowledge of local waters and his families’ farming histories to promote “New Ruralism,” a movement to champion sustainable agriculture at the urban edge.

As an active community leader, Chef Jim dedicates time to many charities and Food For Thought is honored to have him and his team dedicate their time and talents to helping raise money to help children in need in our community.

Tickets are $250 per person or $2500 for a private table for 8 guests. Click here to buy yours.

For more info, visit Food For Thought Outreach or follow the event page on Facebook.