There is the Southern rule: To a friend in need, take food. Then there is the restaurant and bar community’s interpretation of that tenet. In the Triangle this month, numerous chefs and bartenders are pulling together in support of their friend, Hamid Mojaher, chef and co-owner of Mo’s Diner (306 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, www.mosdiner.net). Earlier this year, Mojaher was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Now receiving aggressive chemotherapy treatment, Mojaher has reached the limit on his health insurance policy and must pay his medical bills out of pocket. The food community has organized events this month to help raise money for Mojaher’s costs.
There is a waiting list for the Aug. 11 Cellar Wine Dinner with Bret Jennings at Elaine’s on Franklin (454 Franklin St., Chapel Hill, www.elainesonfranklin.com), but there are plenty of medical bills to pay, and thus, a lot more events to attend.
At 6 p.m. Aug. 15, head to The Pour House Music Hall (224 S. Blount St., Raleigh, www.the-pour-house.com) to grab a brew before local acts including Starmount, Jeanne Jolly, Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, Static Minds and a new band, Maldora, take the stage beginning at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $10.
On Aug. 29, Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner, William D’Auvray of Buku, Bret Jennings of Elaine’s on Franklin, Matt Kelly of Vin Rouge and Walter Royal of the Angus Barn will cook side by side in the kitchen at Mo’s Diner. Tickets are $150.
To learn about future fundraising events, or to donate money, visit www.friendsforhamid.com.
For more drinks for a good cause, brew a cup of Shade Grown El Salvador Cerros Las Ranas, a new roast from Hillsborough’s Joe Van Gogh (www.JoeVanGogh.com). The coffee is on special this month to support Grounds for Health, a nonprofit that provides women in coffee-growing regions with preventative screenings and treatment for cervical cancer. In September, Joe Van Gogh will offer a second roast, Organic Papua New Guinea Purosa, to benefit the organization. Purchase the coffee online, or pick up a bag12 ounces for $11.99at Chapel Hill’s Cup A Joe (1129 Weaver Dairy Road, Suite AD) or one of two Durham Joe Van Gogh locations (1104 B Broad St., or on Duke’s campus at 120 Science Drive). For every 12-ounce bag sold, the roasters will donate 50 cents, an amount that will cover the cost of screenings for two women.
On Saturdays, belt out your favorite karaoke classic at Cary’s new Bombay Beijing (1026 Ryan Road, Cary), which opened in late July. A spin-off of Udupi Cafe, which specializes in vegetarian Indian cuisine, Bombay Beijing offers Indian and Chinese fare, including meat dishes, alongside Saturday singing. The restaurant has seating for 100 and serves lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
