Detroit Food Academy's Festival of Brunch

Experience brunch from Detroit’s most notable Chefs while inspiring young Detroiters through entrepreneurial programming rooted in food. Whether it be Chef and professional mentors or executing a food based business idea, DFA utilizes learning with real-world relevance to create connectivity and confidence for youth to pursue a professional career in the food industry.

After completing DFA’s programs students not only report better health outcomes and familiarity with cooking and nutrition, but they also report greater pride in being from the City of Detroit and greater hope in their futures and in their abilities to achieve the goals they set.

By attending this event you’ll be supporting Detroit Food Academy’s work as well as Regenerate Detroit, a scholarship which provides a full ride to culinary school for one student every year, a great next step for DFA graduates on their way to the professional world.   The Regenerate Detroit Scholarship was established in 2016 by Chef James Rigato, DeAndre Levy, and Desire Vincent-Levy to support the education, growth, and voice of the next generation of Detroit’s food professionals.

VIP Seated Brunches

Two intimate VIP seated brunches prepared by a duo of local executive chefs and two DFA student sous chefs. Each brunch will be a family style collaboration featuring sweet and savory dishes along with cocktails. Experience this one time collaborative meal and these chef’s unique take on brunch.

      Magnet VIP Brunch

• Chefs: Brad Greenhill of Magnet and Chef Warda Bouguettaya of Warda Pâtisserie
• Time: 11:00am with access to General Admission following
• Place: Magnet, Registration at 4885 15th Street, Detroit, MI 48208
• Admission: $250 per person, includes access to General Admission event

       The Pantry VIP Brunch

• Chef Max Hardy of Coop and Chef April Anderson of Good Cakes and Bakes
• Time: 11:00am with access to General Admission following
• Place: The Pantry, Registration at 4885 15th Street, Detroit, MI 48208
• Admission: $250 per person, includes access to General Admission event

Festival of Brunch General Admission

Taste a variety of brunch dishes from 12 of Detroit’s most notable chefs in collaboration with a Detroit Food Academy student. Once you’re full, shop the Detroit Food Academy store featuring Small Batch Detroit products handcrafted by the DFA’s talented young chefs, explore the silent auction offering unique culinary experiences, and interact with favorite local food businesses (including custom bloody mary bar, Detroit Pop Shop gourmet ice pops, and beyond!). All while supporting young Detroiters through entrepreneurial programming rooted in food!

• Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm
• Place: The Power Plant & Core City Park, Registration at 4885 15th Street, Detroit, MI 48208
• Admission: $150 per person

General Admission Chefs 
Chef Anthony Lombardo of SheWolf
Chefs John Vermiglio + Joe Giacomino of Grey Ghost
Chef James Rigato of Mabel Gray
Chef Ederique Goudia of Gabriel Hall
Chef Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie
Chefs Doug Hewitt + Ben Robison of Chartreuse
Chef Sarah Welch of Marrow
Chef Rohani Foulkes of Nomadic

More to come! 

Opportunities to Support DFA Students with Individual or Company Sponsorship

$300 Youth Advocate Sponsorship - Support in lieu of attendance or in addition to your ticket!

Last year alone over 2,000 quality program hours were delivered to young leaders! Become a Youth Advocate and help the Detroit Food Academy continue to grow and inspire young Detroiters through powerful motivators such as project ownership, peer acceptance, community connectivity, and earned wages. We’ll thank you with recognition on our website and onsite at the Festival of Brunch!

$1,500 Community Connector Sponsorship - Includes two tickets!

This sponsorship provides weekly groceries and local ingredients for 15 student chefs for (almost) the whole school year in the After School Leadership Program. Through a combination of field trips, workshops and youth lead activations this program provides participants with a foundational knowledge in business basics, culinary arts, food skills, financial literacy, and leadership. This sponsorship includes 2 General Admission Event Tickets and we’ll thank you with logo recognition on our website, onsite at the Festival of Brunch, and press release.

$2,500 Small Batch Investor Sponsorship - Includes four tickets!

This sponsorship provides yearlong entrepreneurship training and career experience for one youth food entrepreneur! Over the course of the program students launch, operate, and refine their own good food businesses- honing their entrepreneurial skills with industry-recognized training and certifications. This paid program culminates in an internship at good food businesses across the city, connecting youth to inspiring mentors and thriving experience along their path to leadership in the food industry. Your company will brand an element of one of several event experiences that include Detroit Food Academy Food Entrepreneurs and/or Small Batch Detroit products. This sponsorship includes 4 General Admission Event Tickets and we’ll thank you with an onsite branded experience, logo inclusion on sponsor thank you sign and website, as well as inclusion in the event press release.

$5,000 Culinary Cultivator Sponsorship - Includes six tickets!

This sponsorship provides participation in a 6 week summer intensive for 5 aspiring youth chefs. Students passionate about culinary arts have the opportunity to continue honing their craft under the guidance of a local chef mentor. They create meals and have opportunities to showcase them at public events and an end-of-summer cooking competition. Gaining real world experience and building relationships with professionals in the culinary field provides students with on-ramps to enter the professional world themselves. Your company will present one of several brunch stations where a Detroit chef and a Detroit Food Academy student will team up to create and serve a special dish or beverage for all guests to enjoy. This sponsorship includes 6 General Admission Event Tickets and we’ll thank you with logo inclusion at one of 12 chef brunch stations, on sponsor thank you sign, and website, as well as inclusion in the event press release.

Prefer to pay by check or interested in seeing a full overview of sponsorship opportunities? Email jen@detroitfoodacademy.org.