YOU’RE THE CHEF!

We’re letting YOU choose the featured ingredient for Serving Up Hope 2026! Cast your vote for Butternut Squash, Corn, Goat Cheese, or Pistachio - whichever you’d love to see incorporated in your dinner at the gala. Each vote costs $1, and you can purchase as many votes as you’d like for your favorite ingredient. Every vote supports Hope Harbor’s mission and brings us closer to Serving Up Hope together.

Butternut Squash

Corn

Goat Cheese

Pistachio

History of Serving Up Hope

A full shelter with a waiting list served as the inspiration for a fundraiser to help Hope Harbor expand its programs and support the community experiencing homelessness.

In 2012, Julie Gortemaker, then president of Hope Harbor’s Board of Directors, presented the fundraising committee with an idea for a cooking competition. The committee quickly rallied around the concept, and in February 2013, the inaugural Serving Up Hope: Battle Caramel was born.

This annual event challenges local chefs to craft delicious and creative dishes featuring a unique key ingredient. Over the years, we've showcased a variety of exciting ingredients, including caramel, bacon, chili pepper, peanut butter and jelly, honey, pretzel, pineapple, lemon, cheese, wine, Thai eggplant, mushroom, and now pomegranate.

The event grew quickly, drawing over 300 attendees in its first year and more than 400 by 2014. Over the years, Serving Up Hope has continued to adapt and innovate:

  • 2021: In response to COVID-19, we held our first-ever hybrid Serving Up Hope. Guests participated in the auction and viewed the event from the comfort of their homes, bidding virtually to support our mission.

  • 2022: We celebrated 10 years of Serving Up Hope with a fresh twist by showcasing a single chef’s culinary creativity, shifting from a competitive format.

  • 2023 & 2024: Mystery Serving Up Hope added an exciting element of surprise! The featured ingredient remained a secret until the day of the gala, building anticipation and delighting attendees.

From its humble beginnings to its innovative adaptations, Serving Up Hope remains our largest and most impactful fundraiser. With your support, we continue to provide hope, shelter, and stability for those who need it most. Join us for this unforgettable evening and be part of our mission to change lives!