Real Men Cook® – America’s premiere Father’s Day celebration — will kick off its 33rd annual gala in a novel way: By saluting mothers. The kickoff will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 8:30 AM to 11AM at The Quarry, 2425 E. 75th Street, headquarters of Real Men Charities, host and beneficiary of the event’s proceeds. The “morning party” hailed as a Pre-Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast, is a rarefied opportunity to salute mothers while munching on a sumptuous pancake breakfast that includes an assortment of other breakfast favorites. The menu for the morning soiree is prepared by the renowned Chef Cordell of the firm, Eating Well With Chef Cordell. There will also be a DJ.
According to Rael Jackson, program manager, the highlight of the Mother’s Day eve salute will be a program that will “uplift the Black mother as wife, protector, as a strong, resilient, supportive, anchor of the home and as the embodiment of love.” Aunties, grandmothers and mother figures will also be held up for their roles in building the Black family. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at https://events.eventnoire.com/e/pre-mothers-day-breakfast/tickets or by calling 312-965-5405.
Jackson, along with Yvette Moyo, co-founder, Real Men Cook, will use the occasion to announce that Real Men Cook will be held for the 33rd consecutive year at the Quarry. The popular entertainment center will be transformed into an open-air space where men will fan out into the various banquet areas and cook for the community. The Real Men will also spill out onto the Quarry’s spacious outdoor patio and prepare and serve their favorite dishes – all for charity. Proceeds will go to Real Men Charities, which funds programs that serve the community.
During the gala breakfast, Jackson will tout some of the ways Real Men Charities has served the community out of their quarters at the Quarry — especially during the pandemic. The venue served as a food stability center during COVID providing 17,000 meals in the last six months free of charge to the South Shore community. At the height of COVID, Real Men Charities managed the distribution of one million pounds of food in 2020. In 2021. the RMC Free Breakfast program served thousands of meals at the Quarry for schools, shelters and families when schools shut down. These efforts are thanks to partnerships with West Side United and an official partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Additionally, ignited by Jackson’s passion, Real Men Charities broadened its focus to address domestic violence by establishing regular martial arts self-defense classes for women at the Quarry. Under the umbrella of its Safe and Peaceful programming, the Charities enlivened the spirit and engaged the community in an array of positive initiatives the Charities sponsors. Along with health and wellness programs, Real Men Charities provides a platform that has made the South Shore community safer, healthier and better.
Moyo stressed that while the Charities has expanded its mission, it will continue to spread joy by hosting its most highly-heralded, most highly-anticipated annual celebration: Real Men Cook, a production of Real Men Charities. Added Jackson, “Father’s Day and Real Men Cook will continue the tradition of men cooking, preparing food and serving love.”
Returning as a sponsor of Real Men Cook “33” is long-time supporter University of Chicago – Medicine as well as Chase Bank. Jackson said at its core, Real Men Cook has been committed to raising up the male and holding up the examples of men who are engaged with their children in positive ways, and who serve the community. However, in the spirit of cooking and serving on Mother’s Day, they are encouraging men and women to find ways to work together and be supportive in their critical roles of parents. It is out of this resolve that Real Men Charities is inspired to host this Pre-Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast.
For more information on Real Men Cook and to purchase tickets, log on to realmencharitiesinc.org.
About Post Author
