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.
Don’t forget: Raffle tickets are available for purchase! Cards and cash accepted. Awesome prizes await if you win!
Schedule of Events
6:00 p.m. - Welcome Remarks and FFGE Update
7:30 p.m. - Prize Drawings (must be present to win)
Food is a basic human need, and we believe it should be easily available–to everyone.
We are one of the three largest food pantries in Northern Illinois Food Bank’s 13-county service area, serving over 150,000 people annually–double the number of people we were feeding just five years ago.
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.
Dinner Menu
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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. 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.
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Danny’s Pizza has been serving authentic Chicago-style pizza in Elgin, Illinois since 1968. Family-owned and operated across four generations, the pizzeria carries on the legacy of founders Danny and Sandy Dalton with time-honored recipes and quality ingredients. Known for its rich tradition and unforgettable flavor, Danny’s is a local Elgin favorite for true pizza lovers.
Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ
Chef: Duke Seward
Menu: Pork, Chicken, Rib Tips, Hot Links (Mississippi Smoked Sausage)
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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: Chicken Flautas, Burrito Campechano (Chorizo, Chicken, and Steak), Tacos Asada, Guacamole
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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.
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Elgin Public House believes in offering guests more than just great food, beer, and cocktails–although they do that, too. They focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable and at home, delivering exceptional service that makes every visit a memorable one!
La Cosheca
Chef: Valeria
Menu: Tamales (Pork, Chicken, Poblano and Cheese, Cheese and Beans), Corn Chips & Salsa Verde
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La Cosecha makes delicious, authentic, homemade tortillas, ready for you to take home and eat. Their food is the real deal, fresh and without any preservatives. They also make some of the best tamales in town!
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Family-owned and serving Chicagoland since 2004, Gorditas Estilo Santiago specializes in authentic gorditas inspired by generations-old recipes from Santiago, Papasquiaro in Durango, Mexico. Known for high-quality food at reasonable prices, they bring the rich flavors of Durango to every bite!
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Main Event in Hoffman Estates is the ultimate birthday party destination, offering nonstop fun for kids of all ages. From a gravity ropes course and a 100+ game arcade to pro-level bowling and kid-friendly features like dragon ramps, it’s a one-stop shop for unforgettable celebrations. Guests can refuel with crowd-pleasing favorites like pizza, wings, and burgers, while adults unwind with craft cocktails. With something for everyone, Main Event turns any birthday into a next-level experience!
Mama Lee's Poptastic Popcorn & Drinks
Chef: Chris Sumner
Menu: Popcorn! Cheese, Caramel,
Elgin Mix, and Butter
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Mama Lee’s Gourmet Popcorn is more than just a snack—it’s a flavor-packed experience inspired by love, family, and community. With a mission to spread joy one kernel at a time, Mama Lee’s offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and gives back through local events, fundraisers (like this one!), and youth programs.
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The Seville offers an unforgettable wedding experience centered around outstanding cuisine and impeccable service. They offer gourmet menus crafted by an award-winning chef—complete with showstoppers like flaming desserts! Every detail is designed to delight, making each celebration as memorable as it is delicious.
Dessert Menu
Pastries With
A Purpose
Chef: Dave Marks
Menu: Peanut Butter Cookie Magic Popcorn, White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies, Oreo Chocolate Chip Monster Brownies, Oreo Frosting Cups, White Chocolate Chip Apple Peanut Granola Bars, and Caramel Spice Cookies
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Pastries with a Purpose has goodness “baked” into its mission: to sweeten the lives of those in need through the creation of delicious desserts. From giving back to the community to crafting treats that bring joy, Pastries with a Purpose hopes every pastry serves a greater cause (beyond being delicious, of course).
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From its humble beginnings as a hot dog stand, Portillo’s has grown into a beloved Chicago staple. From their famous Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs to their crave-worthy chocolate cake, they deliver unrivaled flavors and a one-of-a-kind experience. Portillo’s is more than a meal—it’s a tradition.
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Quality Cheesecakes, Made by Passionate People. Stewarts' Cheesecakes crafts delicious, high-quality desserts for every occasion. From birthdays and weddings to girls' nights or even an ordinary Tuesday, they have the perfect cheesecake to make any moment a little sweeter.
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:
“When my son was diagnosed with cancer, my husband just walked out of the house. Since then, it has been one thing after another. This week, it is because the brakes went out on my car, so I had to walk here today. You all are literally life savers to me and my family. The work you do is so important! Thank you!” - Unhoused Guest of FFGE
You make this work possible.
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
