CONTACT: Melody McDowell – 312-371-8917
REAL MEN COOK® TO CELEBRATE 33rd YEAR OF SERVING LOVE ON FATHER’S DAY
TRIBUTE TO FATHERS TO FEATURE JOY AND JAZZ IN LEAD UP TO JUBILANT DAY
Real Men Cook® – Urban America’s premiere Father’s Day charity event — will host its fun-filled, food-tasting celebration for men Sunday, June 19 from 3-6 PM CST at the Quarry Event Center, 2423 E. 75th Street. Men will cook and serve their favorite dishes to the community with proceeds going to Real Men Charities. Now in its 33rd year, Real Men Cook’s longevity makes it one of Chicago’s most eagerly-awaited and most popular Father’s Day events. It has remained true to its original mission to emphasize fatherhood and father engagement as well as men’s health and family wellness.
In the lead up to the Father’s Day celebration, Real Men Charities will host a “Jazz in June” series of “Friday Night Live at the Quarry” dinner shows that will feature father/son artists driving home the message of fatherhood through their performances. The jazz will be held Friday nights at the Quarry on June 3, 10, 17 and 24. The performance begins at 7.
Prior to the performances, the Quarry will open up a patio for Alfresco Dining where Quarry Chef in Residence, Cordell McGarry, will serve the menus that have Quarry audiences craving the Quarry meals. This will begin June 10th and continue through the official Juneteenth, federal holiday, Monday June 20th. Doors open for free in-lot parking, drinks and dinner orders at 6 pm.
The climax of the series of June events will be Real Men Cook on Father’s Day, June 19. The Quarry will transform its entire Event Center into stations where chefs will serve their delicious samples. This will take place at the main banquet hall and the adjacent dining area. Chefs will also spill out onto the back patio where additional food tasting, mostly from grills, will happen, as well as programmed activities.
The food will range from traditional favorites like BBQ and hamburgers, as well as African fare and some surprise dishes from the chefs’ secret family recipe. Because of Real Men Charities’ commitment to health and wellness, many of the dishes will feature vegetables, fruits and other healing foods. There will also be food samples for vegans.
As an added highlight of Real Men Cook, there will be a brief tribute to Juneteenth, since Father’s Day coincidentally falls on the now nationally-recognized holiday, June 19. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans and time will be set aside to pay homage to the day and its significance to Black History, Black Freedom and Black Empowerment.
Finally, at the start of Real Men Cook will be a salute to those Black men who have made a particular impact as Real Men who serve their families, their communities and who strive to set an example as wholesome Black men. In doing so, they portray Black men as responsible, caring and contributing men who are difference makers. They also defy stereotypes of Black men who are often negatively depicted in the media and in other platforms. They will also salute partner churches that have helped Real Men Cook succeed and flourish.
In making the announcement, Yvette Moyo, co-founder and CEO of Real Men Charities, reiterated the purpose of Real Men Cook. “Food is the hook,” she declared. “However, our goal is to promote positive images of men in relationship to their families and communities by literally serving.”
Rael Jackson President and Program Manager, added: “The men who cook and those who come out to this family-centered event, exemplify hard working, caring, loving men who are committed to bettering those they love and the communities they support. The vast majority of Black men reflects this and we are glad to capture their spirit and essence through this annual tribute to Real Men.”
Sponsors are University of Chicago Medicine with support from The Fresh Market, Chase Bank and Rush Hospital.
For more information on Real Men Cook visit www.realmencharitiesinc.org for event updates. For the schedule of the Jazz in June performances at the Quarry Event Center log on to www.quarrychi.com
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