Emeril Lagasse Foundation Hosts Third Annual Aarón y Amigos Fundraising Weekend

Emeril Lagasse Foundation has announced its third annual Aarón y Amigos – a two-night celebration of culinary excellence and Latino culture from Sept. 26–27, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. Presented by Cayman Jack, this signature fundraising weekend benefits the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Foundation, that provides culinary arts scholarships, food access and nutrition education for individuals passionate about uplifting the lives of Latinos.

Held during Hispanic Heritage Month, Aarón y Amigos shines a spotlight on the power of food and culture to bring people together and create meaningful change. The weekend begins Friday, Sept. 26, with an intimate VIP dinner hosted by Chefs Aarón Sánchez and Beau MacMillan at Tell Your Friends, Scottsdale’s premier speakeasy. Capacity is limited, and admission is reserved for Weekend and Sponsorship Package holders.

The celebration continues on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Tía Carmen at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. Chef Aarón Sánchez will be joined by his “amigos” from across the country—including celebrity chefs Amanda Freitag (New York, NY), Angelo Sosa (Phoenix, AZ), Rick Moonen (Las Vegas, NV), Brian Landry (New Orleans, LA), James Porter (Prescott, AZ), Cory Oppold (Scottsdale, AZ) and Angel Aug (Phoenix, AZ). Guests will enjoy a curated tasting menu, an open bar featuring Cayman Jack and premium spirits and wines, live music, and both silent and live auctions – all in support of expanding opportunity and access for individuals passionate about uplifting the lives of Latinos.

“When we invest in young people’s passions and their basic needs, we create real change,” said Brian Kish, President of Emeril Lagasse Foundation. “The Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund does just that—offering tools, support, and opportunities that help young people grow stronger, healthier, and more confident in every part of their lives.”

Created by Chef Aarón Sánchez in partnership with Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund removes barriers and opens doors for young people by providing scholarships and mentorship, and grant funding to organizations committed to nutrition education and equitable food access. Since its inception, the Fund has invested more than $1.6 million in scholarships for aspiring culinary leaders and expanded nutrition education and food access for Latino communities.

“Food has always been a way that I honor my Latino heritage, and it’s also the perfect vehicle for helping others,” said Chef Aarón Sánchez. “This event brings together some of my closest friends and favorite chefs to share that spirit of generosity and to invest in the next generation. Our youth are our most valuable resource!”

Aarón y Amigos is made possible thanks to the support of presenting sponsor Cayman Jack, as well as Aristocrat Gaming, Food & Beverage Magazine and Entravision. Tickets, weekend packages and sponsorships are available now at aaronsanchezimpactfund.com/amigos25.

For more information on Emeril Lagasse Foundation and its programs, visit emeril.org, and follow the Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Emeril Lagasse Foundation

Founded in 2002 by Chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife Alden, Emeril Lagasse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in New Orleans. The Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities to inspire, mentor and enable youth to reach their full potential. Since its inception, Emeril Lagasse Foundation has granted more than $22 million to children’s charities to support culinary, nutrition, and arts programs. The Foundation accomplishes this through three programs. The Community Grants program provides programmatic and capital support to nonprofit organizations across the nation. The signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen, is a national education initiative created to enrich the lives of elementary and middle school children through a fun, fresh perspective on food. The Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund provides culinary arts education and human services programming for Latino youth. To learn more about the Foundation and its beneficiaries, visit emeril.org, or follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

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