The second annual Pairings with a Purpose Dinner Party at Callie, an evening of incredible wine and food at one of San Diego’s most celebrated restaurants, will return this year on Thursday, February 27. Funds raised from the event will sustain the School Pantry Program, Feeding San Diego’s critical hunger-relief program for kids and their families. The exquisite evening will feature a multi-course dinner by acclaimed chef and owner of Callie, Travis Swikard, who is a committed Feeding San Diego supporter and San Diego native. Each course will be perfectly paired with wines selected by Callie's lead sommelier, Tracy Latimer. To raise additional funds for the program, there will also be live and silent auctions and a paddle raise. The evening will be hosted by Troy Johnson, a TV personality on Food Network who is also the owner and chief content officer of San Diego Magazine. “I am frequently humbled and amazed by the generosity of our San Diego community, including that of Chef Travis and his team who are graciously helping raise funds for our organization through this fantastic dinner,” said Bob Kamensky, CEO of Feeding San Diego. “As we start this new year, we know the factors causing neighbors to experience food insecurity are mounting. Flat wages, increased housing costs, escalating fuel and utility costs, and residual inflation are directly impacting parents struggling to provide for their families. The School Pantry Program is a proven initiative that provides nutritious food, especially fresh produce, to families in need. Attendees of this fundraiser should know that they are truly making a positive impact in the lives of our youth.” Tickets to Pairings with a Purpose Dinner Party with Chef Travis Swikard can be purchased for $550 now until they sell out. Tables for groups of various sizes are also available. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 27 at Callie in the East Village (1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101) and will seat about 100 guests. It is sponsored in part by Cal-Mil, a family-owned company based in Oceanside dedicated to creating and manufacturing innovative products for the food service industry. The School Pantry Program brings nutritious food directly to where families with children already gather—their local schools. By providing free, fresh produce and pantry staples, the program helps close the financial gap for families and ensure kids have the healthy food they need to thrive for nights and weekends at home. Typically held twice a month and managed by school staff and parent volunteers, these pantries transform school spaces into welcoming food distribution hubs. Parents can easily pick up a variety of nutritious ingredients during pick up or drop off, empowering them to create wholesome meals at home that support their children’s growth and development. The program currently reaches as far north as Oceanside and as far south as Otay Mesa. It also serves rural communities like Boulevard in the Mountain Empire and Pauma Valley near Palomar Mountain. "As a father and a chef, providing for others—especially children—is incredibly important to me. Since day one, our restaurant has been committed to giving back to the community, and partnering with Feeding San Diego, particularly to support their School Pantry Program, allows us to do just that. Knowing that we can help provide meals for kids who may otherwise go without gives our work even deeper meaning. It’s not just about serving food; it’s about making sure no child has to go hungry, and that’s a mission we hold close to our hearts,” said Travis Swikard, chef/owner of Callie and Fleurette. Feeding San Diego on Facebook / Instagram Since opening his restaurant in 2021, Callie has been recognized as one of the best new restaurants in America by Esquire and Robb Report and received a Bib Gourmand and Plate by the Michelin Guide. Later this year, Chef Travis will open a new restaurant, Fleurette, in the University Town Centre area of La Jolla. Callie Restaurant on Facebook / Instagram
