RI Chopped Champion Raising Money For Local Food Bank

WARREN, RI — A two-time Food Network Chopped champion from Rhode Island is holding a special Facebook lived appearance Tuesday. Eli Dunn, the chef at Eli's Kitchen in Warren, will recreate the show's signature race-against-the-clock challenge.

The livestream will be hosted by Good Neighbors, which will provide the challenge ingredients through its food pantry. Viewers can watch on Good Neighbors' Facebook page at 11 a.m.

Good Neighbors' Director Ric Wild said he hopes the 30-minute challenge will inspire home cooks across Rhode Island.

"A first-time guest at our pantry might look at these items and see them as boring," Wild said. "I knew we could find someone that would be able to elevate these humble ingredients into a gourmet meal at home. We reached out to Chef Eli and he was more than willing to help us inspire all the Rhode Islanders accessing food pantries for the first time because of COVID-19."

With thousands of Rhode Islanders out of work due to the pandemic, food pantries including Good Neighbors have seen increased demand for food assistance. The organization offers drive-through, contact-free food pickups on Wednesday and Saturdays, and has seen twice as many people since mid-March.

Tuesday's livestream will raise money in honor of the Giving Tuesday Now, a global day of giving initiative. The organization hopes to raise $5,000, which will be matched by a donor. Donations can be made online.