It’s not uncommon to see a restaurant host a charity dinner. But the difference with Comal is that their good deeds extend into their everyday work. The heritage food incubator, as it is called, supports local women by helping them learn skills in the kitchen. During their time at Comal, the program teaches them not only how to cook on a more professional level, but how to network and create relationships in the industry for long-term employment.
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While Comal is open on the weekends for lunch — dinner is only a monthly affair. Dubbed Impact Dinner, the event is a much more intimate way to experience what Comal is all about. Serving up a multi-course meal, head chef Tim Bender and his team of ladies craft a special menu for the evening. For the next one, on August 15, the meal will be designed by Comal’s own Walaa Almohamd and Omaima Diyab. Hailing from Syria, the ladies’ menu will reflect the cuisine of Damascus. Expect an authentic meal featuring hummus, lamb and fresh veggies from Comal’s garden. If you want something extra, make sure to reserve a spot at the chef’s counter. On our last visit, these special spots received everything from hand-shaved truffles to custom cocktails courtesy of veteran bartender extraordinaire Kevin Galaba of Friends and Family.
Tickets for the dinner are still available and start at $75 and includes food and drink. The chef’s counter ticket comes in at $125 a ticket but it will include your typical meal, custom cocktails and many more surprise add-ons. All proceeds from the event will benefit Focus Points Family Resource Center, the nonprofit parent behind Comal and Northeast Transportation Connections, a non-profit focused on transportation. Go here for more info.
All photography by Brittany Werges