Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF), the national nonprofit supporting food and beverage workers in crisis, celebrated another remarkably successful fundraising event: Southern Smoke Festival, presented by Sysco (SSF25), which welcomed more than 3,000 attendees and raised $1.7 million—the most money ever raised from a single fundraising event for SSF. These funds will go directly towards the organization’s mission to support the hospitality industry through emergency relief and no-cost mental health services.
“We are so proud and inspired by the outpouring of support at this year’s Southern Smoke Festival,” said Lindsey Brown, Executive Director of SSF. “Raising $1.7 million is more than another milestone for our team—it’s a lifeline for food and beverage workers nationwide who turn to SSF in times of need. Every ticket purchased, chef who cooked, beverage pro who poured, and partner who showed up helps ensure that we can continue to care for the people who make our industry thrive day in and day out. This year proves what’s possible when our community comes together, and we left feeling more energized than ever before.”
SSF25 proudly welcomed more than 85 acclaimed chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers from Houston and beyond—the most talent ever assembled for Festival since its inception. Highlights from Festival Day included assembling the 2025 class of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs to cook together for the very first time in a special area presented by Skadden; Kindred Stories onsite with special cookbook signings; and the Lexus VIP experience featuring two air conditioned floors of culinary and beverage heavyweights including Ashley Christensen (Poole’s Diner, Raleigh), Ana Castro (Acamaya, New Orleans), and Alba Huerta (Julep, Houston), just to name a few. Guests also enjoyed an immersive activation at The Lake House in Discovery Green thanks to The Resort at Paws Up, and the beloved and high-energy YETI Culinary Stage, which returned with live cooking demos and surprise guests, all emceed by chef, YouTuber, and YETI Ambassador Brad Leone.
Image credit: Daniel Ortiz
