Olive + Oak and The Clover and the Bee co-owners Mark and Jenn Hinkle are hosting an annual food and wine event with an all-star restaurant lineup this Sunday to benefit families of children with congenital heart defects. The Hinkles' 1-year-old son passed away from congenital heart defects five years ago. The St. Louis community rallied behind them during that time, and in 2013, Mark Hinkle started the I Heart Food & Wine Culinary and Beverage Tasting Event as a way to give back to the community.
The Hinkles also started the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for families with children with the condition and funds research. One in 100 children each year are affected by congenital heart defects, and the condition is 60 times more prevalent than childhood cancer, but pediatric heart research is “grossly underfunded,” Mark Hinkle said. The tasting event is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser every year.
“One of our big goals is awareness, so people realize how common congenital heart defects are and how important the research is,” Mark Hinkle said. “The level of support from restaurants and vendors has made the event what it is. It speaks to the camaraderie and generosity of everyone in the industry in town.”
The event, which sold out last year and is expected to sell out this year, has drawn some of the area’s best restaurants, distributors, and breweries. The blockbuster line up of participating eateries is as follows:
- Baiku Sushi Lounge
- Bakers & Hale
- Balkan Treat Box
- Billie | Jean
- Brasserie by Niche
- Cinder House
- Clementine’s Creamery
- Cleveland-Heath
- The Clover and the Bee
- Elaia and Olio
- Frankly Sausages
- Grace Meat + Three
- J. Devoti Trattoria
- Juniper
- Kaldi’s Coffee
- Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria
- Louie
- Mai Lee / Nudo
- Olive & Oak
- Pappy’s Smokehouse
- Peacemaker Lobster & Crab
- Robust
- Sidney Street Cafe
- Strange Donuts
- Sweet Pea's Bakery
- Union Loafers
- Vicia
The brewery and wine distributor lineup features A. Bommarito Wines, Civil Life, 4 Hands Brewing Company, Major Brands, Modern Brewery, Pinnacle Imports, Urban Chestnut, Perennial Artisan Ales, and Vinoteca. About 250 wines and award-winning local beers will be served at the fundraiser.
I Heart Food & Wine Culinary and Beverage Tasting Event will take place on Sunday at the Ritz Carlton from 3–6 p.m. General admission tickets are $175 and VIP tickets are $250. VIP ticket holders will get early admission and special food and beverage tastings. The event will also hold a live and silent auction.
