Culinary, Charity, and Community Coming Together to Honor Anthony Bourdain

Culinary, Charity, and Community Coming Together to Honor Anthony Bourdain

By Rachel Papke

Manchester, CT—Coming together in a meaningful way to pay tribute to the life of Anthony Bourdain, who died by suicide in June 2018, is exactly what’s happening thanks to Bistro on Main’s Tribute Dinner Honoring Chef Anthony Bourdain on July 23, 2018.

The 5-course meal with beverage pairing includes a trio of oysters, foie gras, “surf and turf” with petite tenderloin and butter-poached lobster tail, fromage et salade, and Earl Grey lavender crème brûlée.

By celebrating him [Bourdain], we don’t gloss over his flaws nor the tragedy of his suicide. But we recognize that all of [us] are flawed and we can celebrate the good while also naming the bad,” said Bistro on Main executive chef Ben Dubow.

The huge outpouring of support for Bistro on Main’s Tribute Dinner and the benefitting charity – the Jordan Porco Foundation – made the July 23rddinner sell out quickly.

But, you can still support the cause and enjoy the same meal during the week of July 25th. Bistro on Main will offer a 4-course dinner, and proceeds will benefit the Jordan Porco foundation’s unique programs for young adults.

The Jordan Porco Foundation does amazing work, preventing suicide and promoting mental health for young adults — it’s a cause that I believe Tony would want to support,” said Chef Dubow.

Liz Doll, dedicated volunteer, supporter, and friend of the Jordan Porco Foundation, helped connect Bistro on Main with the Jordan Porco Foundation. Doll has been at the “epicenter” of suicide since her son, Justus Joy, died by suicide in November 2015.

I’m so grateful to Chef Ben, one of my dear food buddies, who reached out to me and said, ‘we want to honor Chef Bourdain with a tribute dinner, who should we support?” My answer was instant – the Jordan Porco Foundation. Locally and nationally, the Jordan Porco Foundation’s programs are making a difference. It’s my honor to be a part of this; I wish we weren’t, but we are,” said Doll.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. It’s estimated that an average of 6 people are directly impacted by every suicide death, so each year there are around 250,000 Americans who are directly impacted by suicide, plus millions more with indirect impacts. (CDC)

When culinary, charity, and community come together we can make a positive impact. In supporting Bistro on Main’s Anthony Bourdain Tribute Dinner you are taking action to help prevent suicide because every dollar raised benefits the Jordan Porco Foundation’s life saving programs.

These dinners will be reservation only. To reserve online, add the comment “Bourdain Menu,” or call the restaurant at 860-432-5267. Alternatively, you can send an email with your name, phone number, and party size to, rsvp@bistro-on-main.com.

About the Jordan Porco Foundation

The Jordan Porco Foundation’s mission is to prevent suicide, promote mental health, and create a message of hope for young adults. They accomplish this by providing engaging and uplifting peer-run programs. Their programs strive to start a conversation about mental health that reduces stigma while encouraging help-seeking and supportive behaviors. The Jordan Porco Foundation is named in memory of the co-founder’s son, Jordan. Jordan died by suicide in 2011 as a college freshman. His parents turned their grief into action by creating unique programs to address the major public health concern of young adult suicide which is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 15-24. What started as a pilot program in 2012 has grown nationally to reach tens of thousands of young adults. Learn more at jordanporcofoundation.org.

About Bistro on Main

Bistro on Main is a social enterprise owned and operated by the Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC Charities). As a social enterprise, their mission is twofold: (1) delivering an exceptional dining experience for their guests, while (2) breaking cycles of poverty through transitional employment and work readiness training. Inspired by both classical and modern French bistros, they are a scratch kitchen focused on using high-quality local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients including farm-to-table poultry, dairy and produce; dock-to-chef sustainable seafood; and locally produced artisan products like cheeses, breads and charcuterie. Learn more at bistro-on-main.com.