Join Ethiopian restaurant Demera on Sept. 16 for its fourth annual fundraising event, An Evening of Hope: Music & Food for Humanity. From 6 to 9 pm, attendees will celebrate culture and music and enjoy food from some of Chicago’s top chefs. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Health Professionals Network for Tigray, a non-profit organization helping those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and Sudan.
An Evening of Giving Back
The evening will be hosted by Demera’s Chef and owner Tigist Reda, a native of Ethiopia who has lived in Chicago for more than 20 years. Giving back has always been a major part of the Demera mission—Reda even launched a non-profit program, Hope 4 Tigray Women, in 2021.
The event will take place at the beautiful Bronzeville Winery (4420 South Cottage Grove Ave.), nestled in the heart of Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood. This venue will also be the future home of Demera’s second location, set to open in 2026. This year’s event brings a special touch with the addition of live music, including performances by an opera singer, a DJ spinning local tunes and traditional Tigrigna music from Ethiopia.
Cuisine and Culture
In addition to the food and music, guests can experience an authentic Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, explore a unique Ethiopian Market and enjoy a captivating Ashenda Tigrigna performance. The evening will also feature food stations showcasing dishes and desserts created by an all-star lineup of top chefs—available exclusively for this one night. You can find the full list of event participants below:
- Arshiya Farheen, Verzenay Patisserie
- Brian Jupiter, Frontier & Ina Mae Tavern
- Damon Patton, Moor’s Beer
- D’Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke
- Darnell Reed, Luella’s Southern Kitchen
- Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya Antojeria
- Ken Polk, Batter & Barries
- Mary Aregoni, Saigon Sisters
- Maya Camille, Justice of the Pies
- Rick Bayless, Bar Sotano/Frontera
- Rickie Perez, The Oyster Social
- Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Café
- Sebastian White, The Evolved Network
- Stephanie Hart, Brown Sugar Bakery
You can purchase tickets for $125 from the event’s website. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore cuisine and culture while supporting a good cause.
