Plates & Playmakers

EST. 2026 · THE INAUGURAL EVENT

EVENTS

Every great tradition starts somewhere · This is where ours begins

OUR STORY
EST.
2026.

Plates & Playmakers was born from a simple and infuriating truth: families should not go hungry while their child is in the hospital.

We started asking ourselves — what if the Twin Cities' best chefs came together for one night, cooked their most extraordinary food, and directed every dollar to the families at Masonic Children's Hospital who need it most?

The answer, it turned out, was a resounding yes. Twelve chefs. One venue. One night. One cause. No hesitation.

This is the inaugural year. And we intend to make it the first of many.

YEAR ONE

JULY 9, 2026
QUINCY HALL
NORTHEAST MPLS

THE CHEFS

12 of the Twin Cities' most celebrated culinary visionaries, including multiple James Beard Award winners, nominees, and the kind of chefs who define a city's identity. Each one said yes to this cause immediately.

THE FORMAT

Unlimited tastings. 12 stations. Curated wine and spirits pairings. Business casual. Doors at 7:00 PM. An evening that will be difficult to describe to people who weren't there.

THE CAUSE

Fighting hunger in the Twin Cities.

THE VENUE

Quincy Hall in Northeast Minneapolis — a stunning event space that matches the caliber of the evening. 400 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photographs from the evening will be posted here following the event on July 9.

EVENT RECAP VIDEO

Check back after July 9 for the full recap.

THE ROAD TO JULY 9

HOW WE GOT HERE

FALL 2025

The Idea

Plates & Playmakers is conceived around one question: what if the city's best chefs cooked for its most vulnerable families? The concept takes shape.

WINTER 2025

The Partnership

M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital comes aboard as the official beneficiary. The cause is confirmed — food security for families during hospitalization.

EARLY 2026

The Lineup

Twelve of the Twin Cities' most celebrated chefs — including multiple James Beard Award winners — commit to the inaugural event. Every one of them said yes.

SPRING 2026

Quincy Hall

Minneapolis' iconic Quincy Hall is confirmed as the venue. Tickets go on sale. Northeast Minneapolis prepares for one remarkable evening.

JULY 9, 2026

The Inaugural Event

Plates & Playmakers holds its first event. 400 guests. 12 chefs. One evening that changes what people believe charity dining can be.

BEYOND

A New Annual Tradition

Every year, we'll gather. The chefs will rotate. The stakes will grow. The cause will deepen. This is only the beginning.

THE VISION

"EVERY YEAR, WE'LL GATHER.
EVERY YEAR, WE'LL GIVE MORE."

Plates & Playmakers is designed to grow. As the event builds its reputation, we'll expand our impact — more families supported, more programs funded, more chefs at the table. Year one is the foundation. Everything else is what we build on it.

BUY A TABLE SEE OUR IMPACT →