Over 40+ Chicago Chefs Unite to Support Immigrant Families
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The city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs have been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and detainment efforts. Thousands of arrests have been made, causing widespread fear and intimidation across Latino communities. And in response to the ongoing hardship, a local culinary group is helping support Chicago families facing food insecurity.
Todos Ponen: Una Noche de Pueblos y Platillos is an evening that brings together 40+ award-winning restaurants and chefs to provide guests with a unique culinary experience at the Ramova Theatre on January 19, 2026.
The food-forward event includes James Beard winners, Michelin-starred restaurants, and beloved neighborhood anchors that will be donating their time, food, and labor to help Latine families facing food insecurity in the Chicagoland area.
The Todos Ponen initiative was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic by Mexican chef, Diana Dávila and her team at Mi Tocaya Antojeria, a Mexican restaurant in Chicago’s northwest side. Her restaurant gave away hundreds of free meals to families in the neighborhood, which drew lines down the block.
Now, Dávila has partnered with Marcos Carbajal, owner of Carnitas Uruapan, to bring food to the table to families in a more personal and direct way.
“When we compared notes, it was clear we were addressing the same need,” said Carbajal. “A single meal was not going to match the scale of what families were facing.”
Proceeds from theTodos Ponen event will go towards grocery store gift cards valued at $800. These gift cards can be used to shop at neighborhood grocery stores such as La Chiquita, El Guero, and Jimenez Supermercado. Through this model, families can choose their own groceries while also supporting local Latine supermarkets.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online for $125. VIP and early access tickets are also available for $175 at Tixr.com.