Family Dining Room Becomes New Fox Restaurant During Kitchen Takeover

Families in Phoenix were in for a big surprise and a rare treat on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as they entered our Family Dining Room. Fox Restaurants Concepts, a Phoenix-based company inspired by ‘remarkable dining experiences,’ partnered with St. Vincent de Paul to transform the dining room into its newest restaurant.

And a remarkable dining experience is exactly what these diners received. Families sat down at tables covered in white table linens and artfully arranged fresh flowers in mason jars. Two musicians played relaxing folk music as families enjoyed their meal. A 3-course dinner was served restaurant-style and included items such as Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad, Roasted Atlantic Salmon and Braised Beef Short Rib. After dinner, children were invited to get creative at a cupcake decorating station manned by several Fox Restaurant staff.

General managers, chefs, pastry chefs and servers from Fox Restaurants around the Valley took over our kitchen early in the day as they prepped the food and decorated the dining room for the evening meal.

Amidst running back and forth between the kitchen and dining tables, David, a server from Culinary Dropout said, “I do service for a living. Some service is more meaningful than others and I’m just honored to be here.”

However, the gratitude at this event seemed to go both ways. Ruth, one of approximately 300 diners, brought her two children to dinner. She said upon walking into the room, she became teary-eyed at what she saw.

“Ever since the beginning of this year, I’ve been having a hard time and to know that there are people out there that really want to give their time and effort to people like me and my kids -- it gives me hope. It makes me happy because at least I know there are those out there who care for people that are less privileged. I’m happy I was able to enjoy this.”

This event is the first of a “Restaurant Takeover” initiative at St. Vincent de Paul and we’re inviting restaurants of all sizes to take over future meals in our Family Dining Room.

“Our dining rooms have always been about more than just providing food,” said SVdP Executive Director Steve Zabilski, “This restaurant takeover gives the families a unique experience and something to celebrate at the end of a long, hard day. It also shows that the community cares so much about them that they would bring the restaurant to them.”

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