Invite Friends!
Share this event with your friends and neighbors - invite them to join us for an evening of incredible food and supporting families in Durham
CFC Presents: Annual Gala and Auction 2026
The Premier Food Event of the Year
Families Moving Forward is delighted to welcome friends, supporters, and fellow food lovers to the annual Chefs for Change Gala & Auction, an unforgettable evening celebrating Durham’s remarkable culinary community and the families at the heart of our work.
Guests will gather around the table to enjoy a spectacular multi-course meal prepared by some of Durham’s finest chefs – Matt Kelly, Chris Garrett, Aaron Benjamin, Chris McLaurin, and Alex Catotti & Erin Kobler – each bringing their own talents and creativity to an evening that proves good food can do good. Guests can browse the silent auction, compete for coveted items in the live auction, and raise a glass to the incredible community that makes Families Moving Forward’s work possible.
More than a night out, Chefs for Change is an opportunity to come together around a shared belief: every family deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to thrive. Every dollar raised at the Gala helps Families Moving Forward provide housing, case management, education, enrichment, and connections to community resources for families experiencing homelessness.
We invite you to pull up a chair, bring your appetite, and join us for an evening of exceptional food, generous bidding, and even greater impact. Come celebrate Durham’s chefs, connect with friends, and help create brighter futures for families in our community.
Please note: While our chefs will do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies, we may not be able to accommodate all meal preferences. Please reach out to Megan Harrison (meg@fmfnc.org) with any questions or concerns.
The 2026 Chefs
Alex Catotti & Erin Kobler - Restaurant Cornelia & The Vintner and The Baker
Welcome Alex and Erin to Durham and Chefs for Change!