Join Us and Make Big Dinner Plans to Benefit Maryland’s Children!
The Family Tree invites you to experience the globally inspired cuisine of our guest chef, Christian Hunter, co-owner and executive chef of Atelier in Chicago. Chef Hunter, a Michelin award winner, will treat you to an unforgettable culinary experience as you share in fellowship with the Maryland community and, most importantly, raise funds for programs and services proven to save children from abuse and neglect.
Monday, April 7, 2024
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
6:00 pm Cocktails
7:30 pm Dinner Seating & Live Auction
The M&T Bank Exchange
at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
401 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Prepared by Christian Hunter, Atelier, Chicago
James Beard Nominated & Michelin Star Awarded Chef
Event Co-Chairs
Samatha & Jon Manekin, Sarah Sheckells & Don Fisher, Sarah & Ned Walton
Learn More About Chef Hunter
Christian Hunter is intrigued by global flavors, sustainable food production, and nutritional anthropology.
He first encountered diverse cuisines in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. As soon as he was earning his own money, he’d spend it checking out the newest restaurants in town from Mexican and Thai to Indian. “It was like I was searching for something,” Hunter recalls. That early childhood exposure all comes to fruition on his plates.
His signature style focuses on infusing New American fare with unexpected global flavors. He adds zing to locally sourced products with chermoula, freekeh, berbere, house-made garam masala, salsa macha, locally made miso, and many more.
Hunter has a culinary degree from Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York and has cooked at Relais & Châteaux’s Lake Placid Lodge and The Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island. He spent four years in Charleston cultivating relationships with local farmers and also his own culinary identity, emphasizing global flavors. He joined Community Table in Litchfield, Connecticut during the challenging year of 2020. Chef used the time to familiarize himself with area farms and shape the culinary direction of the restaurant.
The Chef also brings his Southern heritage to Atelier. Coming from a humble background, he strives to get the most out of everything he brings into the kitchen. Hunter also wants to illuminate the ability of African American chefs to cook amazing food of any cuisine or genre.
Chef Hunter was named as a finalist for the James Beard Best Chef: Northeast in 2023. Later in the year he received the Young Chef Award from the Michelin Guide, earning the restaurant a star from the Guide as well.