Cooking for a Cause 2026
Monday, September 28th
In partnership with
Calling all up-and-coming culinary stars!
Now accepting 2026 Competitor Applications
Compete in a live cooking showdown using Food Pantry staples and mystery ingredients, wow a panel of chef judges, and help fight food insecurity in our community—all in one unforgettable night.
Deadline to apply: Sunday, August 23rd at midnight. Applicants must be 18+
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds!
Join us for an epic culinary showdown at Cooking for a Cause 2025, presented in partnership with the incredible Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery in Pasadena. This vibrant and flavorful evening promises to shed light on the pressing issue of food insecurity in our local community, all while raising crucial funds for Friends In Deed’s Food Pantry.
Watch as talented up-and-coming chefs work their magic, crafting delectable dishes using pantry staples and surprise “mystery” ingredients sourced from our very own FID Food Pantry. After an intense hour of culinary creativity, our panel of expert chef judges will crown the champion of Cooking for a Cause 2026!
Let’s raise our forks, fill plates, and fight food insecurity together.
While our chefs are battling it out on stage at Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, you can join the challenge from home.
Help us raise an additional $10,000 for the Food Pantry.Â
It costs just $70 to provide a family of four with groceries for one week.Â
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
Every dollar raised goes directly to our Food Pantry, Pasadena’s largest food bank.
As the cost of living keeps climbing, your sponsorship helps ensure our shelves stay stocked and our neighbors stay nourished. Join us as a partner in the fight against food insecurity.
Thank you to our Generous Sponsors
Sous Chef
Ursula Hyman
Pastry Chef
Pasadena Methodist Foundation / First United Methodist Church of Pasadena