San Francisco restaurants, bars step up to support LA fire victims
SAN FRANCISCO - Several San Francisco restaurants are stepping up to support people affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
What we know:
Octavia, located at Octavia and Bush streets, quickly recognized the urgent need for action as the fires raged in Southern California.
"Personally, I’m from Southern California, and I have a lot of friends and family there," said Jack Irving, Chef de Cuisine at Octavia. "As the fires started unfolding, it became clear we needed to do something."
Octavia, which had paused its monthly Saturday bake sales, is bringing it back this weekend. The event, called Saturbake, will feature pastries, breads, pasta, and sandwiches, and run from 10 am to 1 p.m. All proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts, which are feeding thousands of evacuees and first responders on the ground.
"It feels so good to see the community of San Francisco come together, not just here, but everywhere," Irving said. "In restaurants, we’re all about hospitality, and I believe that goes beyond just serving dinner. Taking care of people is what we do."
The Flour + Water Hospitality Group, which includes Flour + Water in the Mission District, is also donating a portion of sales from every tasting menu, house wine, and Margherita pizza to World Central Kitchen.
Modern Indian restaurant Besharam, located in the Dogpatch neighborhood, is also donating a percentage of proceeds from every tasting menu ordered to World Central Kitchen.
In downtown San Francisco, Holbrook House is donating $3 from every Los Angeles Gin Martini sold through January 31st to the American Red Cross.
Erin Rickenbaker, co-owner of El Chato wine bar, is also fundraising to support relief efforts. She once lived in Los Angeles, and shared that this cause is especially personal for her.
"It’s nice to be able to provide people with warm meals and offer what we can. We may be far away, but this is something we can do, and it feels good," she said.
A portion of sales from El Chato on Tuesday night, which saw a busier than usual crowd, will go directly to restaurants feeding fire victims in Los Angeles.
Hadley Kemp, a San Francisco resident, came out to support the cause.
"I can’t stop reading the news, looking at photos, and hearing from friends who live down there," Kemp said. "So, anything we can do to give back."
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