Demonstrations by some of the Birmingham area’s most high-profile chefs have always drawn a crowd to The Market at Pepper Place on Saturday mornings. These days, some chefs are using the Pepper Place platform to raise money for charitable efforts.
In June, pastry chef Kristen Farmer Hall gave the proceeds from a bake sale at the market to Jones Valley Teaching Farm, which is donating all its produce and services to feeding the hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chefs Clayton Sherrod and Steven McIntyre sold meals-to-go to benefit Lawson State Community College’s culinary arts program.
Leigh Sloss-Corra, the market’s executive director, said that plans for August are still being firmed up. But possible participants include people such as Jay Wilson of Jay’s Cheesecakes on Aug. 8. He’d like to contribute to Crew for Cakes, a nonprofit organization helping music crews and support staff whose jobs have taken a hit because most live concerts have been canceled.
In September, members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Birmingham chapter will be at the market to raise money for culinary scholarships and grants.
For an updated list of chef appearances, visit pepperplacemarket.com. The market is at 2829 Second Ave. S. in downtown Birmingham.
—Donna Cornelius
