2025 Culinary Charity Series
Eat Like a Chef / Drink Like a Somm
ABOUT THE FALL SERIES
The Eat Like a Chef, Drink Like a Somm Charity Series is back again, this time at a hidden, exclusive venue in the heart of San Francisco, designed to astonish and amaze. Expect an experience that’s bigger and more exciting than ever before, as you're whisked away to a one-of-a-kind night of champagne, canapés, live music and an exquisite meal by some of the Bay Area's top chefs. As we turn the page on a new chapter, the journey will be slightly different than what you've experienced before.
You will begin with a Champagne reception, complemented by passed canapés and a live musical performance. Afterward, you'll be escorted to a private dining salon, where you'll indulge in a beautifully plated, four-course menu to be enjoyed in a communal setting—perfect for sharing laughter and good times with those around you.
DETAILS
4-course menu, plus canapés for $125 per person.*
Chef Jason Halverson and the guest chef alternate courses, creating a unique culinary experience.
Wine Pairings selected by Hi Neighbor Wine Director Steve Izzo and our guest chef’s wine team are available for an additional $65/person. Non-alcoholic beverage pairings available for $40/person.
*All proceeds for the 2025 series will be donated to Sprouts Chef Training.
LOCATION
Dinners are located a private club in downtown San Francisco. Location details will be provided 7 days in advance of the event with booking confirmation.
2025 Collaborations
Niku Steakhouse
Saturday, September 27th, 2025
We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Dustin Falcon of the Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse. His bold Northern California flavors, infused with Japanese influence, are shaped by his time at The French Laundry and Lazy Bear.
Slanted Door
Friday, October 24th, 2025
We’re excited to welcome Chef Dong Choi of the legendary Slanted Door to the kitchen. Chef Choi carries on the legacy established by icon Charles Phan, while bringing his own modern intreptation to Vietnamese Cuisine.
Copra
Friday, November 14th, 2025
Join Michelin-starred Chef Srijith Gopinathan of the critically acclaimed Copra in our kitchen as he merges local ingredients with traditional coastal cuisines of India’s southernmost states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Che Fico
Saturday, June 7th, 2025
David Nayfeld of Che Fico joins us to celebrate the release of his new cookbook. His unique creative approach as led to numerous culinary accolades, including Bon Appetit’s Hot 10.
Azalina
Friday, June 27th, 2025
James Beard nominee chef Azalina Eusope of Azalina's is bringing her award-winning representation of Malaysian cuisine to the Chef/Somm kitchen.
Ernest
Friday, August 1st, 2025
Brandon Rice of the critically acclaimed restaurant Ernest joins the Chef/Somm kitchen this August, bringing his signature fun yet elevated approach to global flavors.
7 Adams + Dalida
Friday, April 25, 2025
Discover what happens when the husband and wife duos of David & Serena Fisher (Michelin-Stared 7 Adams) and Sayat and Laura Ozyilmaz of Dalida join forces. A meal of epic proportion awaits.
Burdell Oakland
Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
Geoff Davis' intellectual approach to Soul Food is taking the Bay Area culinary scene by storm. Chef Burdell was named a James Beard Best Chef finalist and Davis' Burdell Oakland is one of Esquire's 50 best restaurants in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS EAT LIKE A CHEF/DRINK LIKE A SOMM?
Eat Like a Chef/Drink Like a Somm is the brainchild of the Hi Neighbor Hospitality team. This unique charity event invites the Bay Area's top culinary minds into our kitchen to partner with our executive chef and partner, Chef Jason Halverson, creating a multi-course menu where each chef contributes dishes based on a unique theme.
Launched in 2013, Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group created the Eat Like A Chef/Drink Like A Somm series by partnering with some of the top chefs in San Francisco and beyond to raise funds for amazing philanthropic causes in the Bay Area. With the notion that giving back can be accessible to all, each dinner offers diners the opportunity to give back while enjoying a one-of-a-kind dining experience, all to benefit a local charity.
Each month, Hi Neighbor chef/partner Jason Halverson teams up with a partner chef to create a unique collaboration dining experience, inspired by our guest chef’s culinary expertise and experience. Since 2013, we have raised nearly 500K for charities such as SF-Marin Food Bank, Ronnie Lott’s All Stars Helping Kids, Old Skool Café, Sprouts Chef Training, and more.
WHAT CHARITY DOES THIS BENEFIT?
Our 2025 series is benefiting the amazing work of Sprouts Chef Training.
WHERE ARE EVENTS LOCATED?
Dinners are located a private club in downtown San Francisco. Location details will be provided 7 days in advance of the event with booking confirmation.
WHAT RESTAURANTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS SERIES?
Our spring and summer lineup included critically acclaimed 7 Adams, Dalida, Burdell Oakland, Che Fico, Azalena and Ernest. Together we raised $30,000 to support Sprouts Chef Training. Our fall series kicks off September 27th with Niku Steakhouse followed by Slanted Door on October 24th and Copra on November 14th.
WHEN DO YOU RELEASE RESERVATIONS?
Reservations are released in 3-month blocks. Tickets for our fall series will be released in early September.
WHEN DO RESERVATIONS WORK?
The evening features two different seating times with a limited number of reservations available during each seating window.
HOW DO I GET TICKETS?
Tickets are available via OpenTable and can be purchased using the ticket links above.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
If known in advance, we can accommodate dietary restrictions. However, the dishes may not be reflective of the guest chefs. We aim to be inclusive of as many things as possible, but since this is a one-night-only menu, substituted items may vary.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
For media inquiries, please contact info@hineighborsf.com.
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Proud to Support Sprouts Chef Training
Sprouts equips youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement. Youth are paired with a chef mentor and case manager to develop the skills needed to secure and maintain a culinary job. Graduates use these entry-level jobs to kickstart culinary careers, pay for education, or pursue new industries.
Thank you to our 2025 event sponsor OpenTable
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