Welcome to Pallet to Palate

Congratulations, you’re here! You’re about to spend the next hours tasting the best our local chefs have to offer, from savory delights to tasty treats. And the best part? You’re feeding the hungry in our community.

Schedule of Events

6:00 p.m. - Welcome Remarks and FFGE Update
7:30 p.m. - Prize Drawings (must be present to win)

Our Mission: To provide food security and access to community resources that stabilize lives.

Food for Greater Elgin provides food, empowerment, compassion, and hope to our hungry guests.

  • Food—We fill hundreds of hungry bellies every week.

  • Empowerment—We give our shoppers the luxury of choice.

  • Compassion—We help with intention, attempting to erase any stigma associated with needing food assistance.

  • Hope—We’ll never abandon our guests in their moment of need.

Our Vision: To empower people to escape poverty.

For most of our guests, hunger is far from their only problem: They need a job, housing, immigration aid, or diapers. Our facility provides more than food; we partner with other non-profits to offer additional social services at our pantry. With all these resources in one place, our guests can pursue opportunities and a secure financial future.

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Food is a basic human need, and we believe it should be easily available–to everyone.

Dinner Menu

BeaUnique Latin Kitchen

Chef: Beatriz (Bea) Cardona

Menu: Mini Chicken Flautas (GF) with Rice (GF), Mini Vegetarian Empanadas (Gluten) with Rice (GF), Mini Beef & Potatoes empanadas (Gluten) with Rice (GF)

  • Authenticity and love are at the heart of everything we create at BeaUnique Latin Kitchen! Come let our fresh ingredients take your palate on a journey through our homemade menu consisting of mouth-watering Latin favorites you and your family are sure to love. Bea and Al are true foodies at heart, and proud to be active members of the Elgin community! Their passion for bringing unique gourmet flavors from their kitchen to your table comes from the heart. Whether you need a fully catered feast for your personal or corporate party, or a simple last-minute, ready-to-eat dinner for tonight, allow our hosts to prepare a meal worthy of celebration!

Bonefish Grill

Chef: Jameson Hadju & Adrian Flores

Menu: Tuna Poke—Red Onions, Peppers, Cucumbers and Cilantro tossed in a house-made Hawaiian-Style Poke Sauce

  • With a deep passion for fresh seafood, our founders set out to create a truly unique, explorative dining experience. At Bonefish Grill, we focus on every little detail of your experience, anticipate your needs, and provide personalized service that allows you to enjoy a delicious meal in a comfortable, vibrant atmosphere.

    We have fresh fish experts who guide you on an open sea excursion to choose the best fish to fit your taste. Our experts deliver white-coat service in their crisp white chef coats. They can tell you where we source our fresh fish, how we cook it, and can suggest the perfect wine and cocktail to pair with your dish.

Café Roma

Chef: Frank Redisi

Menu: Italian Sausage Bites (GF/DF), Mini Panna Cotta (GF/Vegetarian), Samples of Café Roma’s house-made Sauces and Dressings

  • Café Roma is unique in many ways. You wouldn’t expect to find a high-end café nestled inside a commercial building surrounded by a business park, but here we are. You will feel like you have discovered a hidden gem the first time you visit us.

    Offering full-service catering, corporate events, weddings, and all types of gatherings, and setting the standard for a contemporary dining experience in Elgin, Café Roma delivers with the uncompromising pursuit of taste and quality. From Italian Sea Salt to the ultrafine double 00 flour and perfectly ripened vegetables the Café Roma difference is in every handcrafted bite.

Coleman’s BBQ Ribs And Chicken

Chefs: Coleman Staff

Menu: Rib Tips, Hotlinks, Potato Salad, And Coleslaw

  • Have you ever had BBQ so good that it just makes you think back to your childhood backyard gatherings? Well, welcome to Colemans! Established in 1976 on the west side of Chicago, Coleman’s BBQ has existed for over 40 years. Brought from a southern home in Dermott Arkansas, two brothers opened their first family-owned restaurant on 55th in Cicero in Chicago, IL. Since then, George and Henry Coleman opened a few locations in Chicago, two of which have been passed along to following generations - one still in Chicago, and now one here in Elgin!

    This family-owned business came to Elgin in 2021 and continues to spread the love for food, family, and community. Let us not forget that special sauce that comes with every order - a family recipe that we carry close to our hearts. A recipe we share over some of the finest BBQ ever. Coleman’s is not just a restaurant; it's a legacy being carried on!

Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ

Chef: Duke Seward

Menu: Rib Tips, Smoked Chicken, and Baked Beans

  • Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ was founded November 13, 1985. The owner is Terrance Duke Seward, son of Marilyn and Tanzy Seward, and Dr. Rhiannon Seward. Duke’s has southern roots being from the Mississippi Delta area of Greenville, MS. The recipes at Duke’s have been passed down through the generations of Terrance “Duke” Seward’s family.

    It’s with those family recipes that Dukes makes great home cooking for everyone to enjoy. Just like momma’s kitchen!

    So let us cater your next birthday party, graduation, wedding or whatever your big day might be! Duke’s thanks you for all of your support and love. We look forward to serving you soon.

El Patio

Chef: Juan Vargas

Menu: Campechano (Chicken, Chorizo, Steak Mix), Chicken Empanadas, Shrimp Empanadas, Burrito Suizos, and Salsas

  • Indulge in the rich and diverse flavors of Mexican cuisine with our menu, curated to satisfy every palate. From traditional favorites like tacos and enchiladas to unique and contemporary dishes, our chefs ensure that each bite is a celebration of Mexican culinary artistry.

    El Patio is more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where families come together to enjoy great food and create lasting memories. Our warm and inviting atmosphere is designed to make you feel at home, whether you’re sharing a meal with loved ones or enjoying a night out with friends.

Grand Victoria Casino

Chef: Executive Chef Francisco “Chico” Ocampo-Barrios

Menu: BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders and Meatballs Marinara

  • Floating on the picturesque Fox River, the Grand Victoria Casino is located just 40 minutes from Chicago, and treats players to about 700+ slots, video poker machines and electronic table games, plus classic Vegas-style table games, and gaming promotions and giveaways you’ll love. Grand Victoria hosts a World Series of Poker® Circuit Event twice a year and features a Caesars Sportsbook and WSOP® Poker Room – an inviting 6,500 sq. ft. space in which to enjoy sporting events and live poker in a well-appointed environment. Additionally, it houses award-winning restaurants which means there’s something special for casino and food lovers alike.

Kubo Sushi and
Sake Lounge

Chef: Kris Palermo

Menu: Chicken Teriyaki (DF), Vegetable Tempura (DF), and Standard Maki (DF)

  • Kubo Sushi & Sake Lounge is a combination of traditional Japanese culture and food, with a slight Cali twist. You will experience a mouthwatering variety of fresh, hand-crafted sushi and Japanese cuisine, as well as a variety of Japanese beers and hand-crafted sake cocktails.

    Our goal is for your experience to be a memorable one that keeps you coming back for more, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly environment, or a hot night out on the town come and enjoy!

Lunita's Delights

Chef: Selene Oviedo

Menu: Chicken Fajitas, Chips and Salsa, and Rice Water

  • Lunita’s Delights offers a variety of delicious Platillos to cater for your next event. Lunita’s is known for its attentive, accommodating, and well-organized staff, as well as authentic, fresh Mexican cuisine, ensuring that you and your guests are satisfied and taken care of.

Pupuseria Chicas

Chef: Glenda Chicas

Menu: Salvadoran Pupusas: Rebueltas (Pork, Beans, and Cheese), Frijoles (Beans and Cheese), Queso (Cheese), served with Cabbage Slaw and homemade Salsa

Que Chido Taco Catering & More LLC

Chefs: Berenice Rico

Menu: Chorizo (Mexican Sausage) Tacos with Cilantro, Onion, Limes and Salsa

  • Experts on turning your gathering into a fiesta! Not only bringing fresh and authentic Mexican food but our amazing setup and great customer service will leave all of your guests saying “QUE CHIDO!!!” (SO COOL!!!)

Vive Natural Juice Bar

Chefs: Ramiro Barrios, Cristian Barrios, Irene Radilla & Karla Morales

Menu: Cold Press Juices - Dangerous Summer (Watermelon, Strawberry, Lemon, & Mint); Vital Fresh Lemonade (Cucumber, Lemon, Green Apple, & Agave Syrup); Citrus Yellow (Pineapple and Orange)

  • At Vive Natural, we offer #MoreThanOnlyJuices. We provide a tasty selection of nutritious dishes and beverages that promote a healthier lifestyle for your body. Using fresh, natural ingredients prepared onsite, our menu is designed to offer a diverse range of flavors, textures, and colors with numerous health benefits. Come visit us at 59 S. Grove Ave in Elgin, IL 60120.

Dessert Menu

Café Roma

Chef: Frank Redisi

Menu: Mini Panna Cotta (GF/Vegetarian)

  • Café Roma is unique in many ways. You wouldn’t expect to find a high-end café nestled inside a commercial building surrounded by a business park, but here we are. You will feel like you have discovered a hidden gem the first time you visit us.

    Offering full-service catering, corporate events, weddings, and all types of gatherings, and setting the standard for a contemporary dining experience in Elgin, Café Roma delivers with the uncompromising pursuit of taste and quality. From Italian Sea Salt to the ultrafine double 00 flour and perfectly ripened vegetables the Café Roma difference is in every handcrafted bite.

Crumbl Cookies

Chef: Cookie Baking & Dressing Team

Menu: Milk Chocolate Chip, Confetti Milkshake, Galaxy Brownie, Strawberry Cupcake, Snickerdoodle, Caramel Praline

  • Crumbl offers cookies in a way that can’t be found anywhere else. With a weekly rotating menu, open-concept kitchens, and a famously recognizable pink box, Crumbl is revolutionizing the gourmet dessert experience.

    Crumbl’s rotating menu features 200+ flavors that are inspired by cakes, candies, pies, and desserts of all kinds. The flavors rotate weekly and keep customers coming back every week to try brand-new flavors, stock up on returning favorites, or rediscover our classics.

Thank You

A huge thank you to our event sponsors, vendors, and hard-working volunteers for making this event possible: Words can’t express our gratitude.

From the Executive Desk

Hello, fellow foodies,

First and foremost: Thank you. By attending Pallet to Palate, you’re making a direct impact in the lives of so many in our community.

One of our hungry neighbors recently shared:

“I just wanted to thank all of you for what you do. We were seriously hungry the last weeks of the month but, thanks to you and donors, of course, that no longer happens! The pantry helps with our stomach issues, our mental acuity, and even our outlook on life. Food is fair for all!”

You make this work possible.

As we move deeper into 2024, we continue to face key challenges:

How can we provide food to everyone who lives with food insecurity? Our numbers have soared, from 81,439 in 2021 to over 230,000 in 2024; in the past two years, our key items like meat, dairy and eggs have increased by almost 75%.

How can we operate more sustainably? We depend on donations, but these supplies come as feast or famine: Free peanut butter is never available at the same time as jelly; spaghetti sauce is not available at the same time as noodles.

 

To help meet these needs, we recently expanded our warehouse space. We also expanded our new office space to offer additional services, such as flu shots, nutritional information, and more from key community partners.

Together, we can help our neighbors move out of financial instability. 

By attending, supporting, sponsoring, and volunteering at Pallet to Palate, you contribute to that effort. Thank you.

Remember, for every $10 you give, a neighbor can receive $80 worth of groceries–and 96 cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to our feeding programs.

With sincere gratitude,

Andres Diez
CEO, Food for Greater Elgin

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