Photo: Okanagan Food Bank

The Central Okanagan Food Bank's Fork and Spoon Gala returns to Kelowna Oct. 5, presented by Fermented Dining.

Fourteen top-rated local chefs will prepare a nine-course menu, using only ingredients donated to the food bank.

The chefs will be cooking at the newly renovated food bank facility on Enterprise Way, along with four bartenders competing in a cocktail competition, with live music by Andrew Johns.

"This is an incredible event where top chefs have the ability to showcase the amazing types of food donated to the food bank as well as demonstrate just how many extraordinary and healthy meals can be made with donated food, all while raising money for such an important cause," says the food bank's Tammie Watson.

"Supporting the Central Okanagan Food Bank is one of our core values," says Cody Pollard, owner of
Fermented Dining. "They provide so much assistance for those facing food insecurity within the community, from supplying food to other local non profits, to feeding over 4,000 local residents every month."

Last year's fundraiser raised close to $20,000, and with more chefs and added bartenders and entertainment, organizers hope to surpass that number.

"Nobody should go hungry and nobody should have to choose between rent and feeding their families," says Pollard. "This is something we will always strive to rectify.”

The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and tickets are available at: trellis.org/forkandspoon2