PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNITY KITCHEN PITTSBURGH

Famed French chef, author and educator Jacques Pépin turns 90 in December — but it’s Community Kitchen Pittsburgh that’s getting a gift.

On Aug. 14, local chefs will gather at CCAC’s new Center for Education, Innovation, and Training building on the North Side to put unique spins on some of the birthday boy’s favorite dishes. Pépin will speak to attendees via a live feed.

The Food is Community gala is part of the Jacques Pépin Foundation’s yearlong, nationwide 90/90 Dinner Series to raise money for Catalyst Kitchens. The countrywide network of culinary training programs includes Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKP), located at 107 Flowers Ave. in Hazelwood.

Founded in 2013, the nonprofit organization, which is moving to a bigger location in Uptown this fall, provides approximately 450,000 free community meals a year and helps people overcome barriers to land a job in the culinary industry. It’s free to participate in the training program, but it costs approximately $12,000 per student from start to finish.

CKP, which received a $10,000 grant from Pépin’s foundation in January, hopes to net $50,000 from the ticketed event.

Pittsburgh chefs and their teams, along with famous foodies from outside of the Steel City, will put their skills to the test at the gala. The lineup includes CKP’s Bruce Harris Jr., Jessica Bauer of Altius, Dave Racicot of The Commoner and Apteka’s Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski. Adam Livow of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Shanita McAfee-Bryant of the Prospect KC and Meegan Roberts from Villa Dolce Gelato in Phoenix are also bringing their talents to the table for the evening.

Each food station will highlight local ingredients and regional flavors, showcasing how food can connect, transform, and inspire. In addition to live music, guests will enjoy a screening of a 15-minute documentary about Catalyst Kitchens’ work and how it is transforming lives from coast to coast. (Can’t make it to the event? The film is available online.)

In 2023, CKP added a butchery program to its learning model. Last year, officials launched a food truck. The vehicle travels to events throughout the city to not only showcase its food, but also its mission of hope. The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser is its annual Lenten fish fry. The popularity of the springtime series inspired the folks at CKP to host a BBQ Bash on select Fridays throughout the summer.

Daniel Czerpak, CKP’s catering chef and career services manager, just so happens to be an award-winning BBQ master. From 2 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 and 22 and Sept. 12 and 26, he’ll be serving up brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken along with housemade sides and desserts. Guests may order in person or online and dine in or take their meal to go. Hazel Grove Brewing will be on-site selling cans of beer.