Bringing Joy to the Table.

Championing Good, Clean and Fair. Combating the loneliness epidemic. Celebrating local, seasonal food and the people who cultivate it. 

What is the Joyful Dinner Series?

A grassroots dinner series taking place at restaurants, on farms, and in backyards across the country; spreading the mission of good, clean and fair food for all.

MISSION The Joyful Dinner Series centers community-driven dinners, honoring the vibrant and diverse food traditions of everyday people. Joyful Dinners celebrate local, seasonal ingredients and the people who cultivate them. 

OBJECTIVE Each event brings awareness to Slow Food USA and local Slow Food chapters. Funds raised will support Slow Food USA’s programming – including Ark of Taste, Plant a Seed, Snail of Approval, and more. We are inviting voices to the table to build a future where food is a source of joy, justice and connection – one joyful plate at a time. The Joyful Dinner Series is for anyone who believes in the power of food to bring people together and create lasting change.

WHEN & WHERE Joyful Dinners will take place between August and October 2026 at restaurants, homes, and businesses across the USA. The series will culminate in the Week of Joy (October 25-31, 2026) – when dozens of restaurants across the country will host a Joyful Dinner “give back night” for Slow Food USA and local chapters.

When you sign up to host a Joyful Dinner, it will appear on the map.

READY TO HOST?

How to Host a Joyful Dinner for Restaurants & Businesses

There is no one-size-fits-all for a Joyful Dinner: you know best what will engage and delight your guests!

Here are a few of our most popular options:

1. Join us for our WEEK OF JOY. Host a give-back night.

When: October 25-31, 2026 (You choose one night this week)
Donation Amount: 10% of your sales one night (recommended)

Want ample time to plan, a low-lift activation, and the maximum amount of promotional exposure? Join us for our Week of Joy: October 25-31, 2026. We are asking businesses to choose one evening, and pledge to donate 10% of its sales to Slow Food.

We aim to have 100+ restaurants across the country participating in our Week of Joy, and will include your business in our social media, newsletter, and PR campaign in the weeks leading up.

All you have to do is choose a date and help us promote your Joyful Dinner your community. You don’t need to add a special dish to your menu, sell tickets, or alter your service in any way. It’s that simple to raise essential funds for Slow Food and show your support.

Pictured: Chai Pani’s Asheville & Atlanta locations hosted Joyful Dinner “Give Back Nights” in May 2026, and donated 10% of their sales to Slow Food USA.

2. Host a Chef's Dinner of Curated Event.

When: Any day in August, September, or October 2026

Donation Amount: $500 recommended

Plan a unique Joyful Dinner anytime in August, September, or October. You could invite a guest chef to collaborate, build a dinner around a theme (such as Terra Madre this September), or curate a menu paired with regional wines. The choice is yours as long as it showcases delicious food that benefits both people and the planet!

When you sign up to host your own special Joyful Dinner, we ask that you pledge at least $500 to Slow Food USA and help us promote the event to your local community. We will feature your Joyful Dinner in our newsletter, social media, and through the local Slow Food chapter (if applicable).

Pictured: The Plimoth hosted a “Bubbles & Bites” Joyful Dinner in partnership with Slow Food Denver.

3. Feature a Local/Seasonal Dish for a Week or Month.

When: Any day in August, September, or October 2026

Donation Amount: $250 recommended

Prefer a lower-lift activation that doesn’t require a special event or activation? You can run a Joyful Dinner special to highlight Good, Clean, and Fair values. Choose one week or month in August, September, or October to feature a local, seasonal ingredient or dish on your menu. Use our toolkit to brand & promote the special and show your support for Slow Food’s mission.

When you sign up to feature a “Joyful Dinner” dish on your menu, we ask that you pledge at least $250 to Slow Food USA and help us promote the event to your local community. We will feature your Joyful Dinner in our newsletter, social media, and through the local Slow Food chapter (if applicable).

Pictured: Table & Main featured local Vidalia Onions in a gratin for one week during May 2026.

How to Host a Joyful Dinner for Individuals & Slow Food Chapters

There is no one-size-fits-all for a Joyful Dinner: you know best what will engage your community and delight your guests!

Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing…

1. Invite your community over for a meal.

When: Any day in August, September, or October 2026

Donation Amount: $50 recommended

Anyone can have a Joyful Dinner! Invite your friends over for a potluck or have people over to share your family recipes. Bring people together to tour a community garden or your personal garden and then prepare a communal meal with the harvest. Meet in a park or at the farmers market for a picnic or host friends to enjoy dishes you have created with local ingredients.

When you host a Joyful Dinner, we ask that you donate at least $50 to Slow Food USA and help u educate your guests on our mission & work!

Pictured: Juliet Mackay-Smith hosted guests for a backyard paella party as her Joyful Dinner in May 2026!

2. Gather at a local restaurant

When: Any day in August, September, or October 2026

Donation Amount: $50 recommended

Don’t want to host? Joyful Dinner can be the perfect opportunity for your fellow Slow Food stewards to support a local Snail of Approval restaurant or any local business that embodies the “good, clean, fair” ethos. Get a group together and book a big table to gather around – it could also be a great opportunity to ask the restaurant to support Joyful Dinner Series with their own event!

When you host a Joyful Dinner, we ask that you donate at least $50 to Slow Food USA and help us educate your guests on our mission & work!

Pictured: Kamayan in Atlanta has hosted two Joyful Dinners– in 2025 & 2026. Their “Kamayan Feast” in their private dining rooms are perfect for gathering a group of Slow Food supporters.

3. Be part of our WEEK OF JOY!

When: October 25-31, 2026 (You choose one night this week)

Donation Amount: $50 recommended

This fall, the Joyful Dinner series will culminate in the Week of Joy: October 25-31, 2026. During this week, we’re asking business participants to choose one evening, and pledge to donate 10% of its sales to Slow Food. (We aim to have over 100 restaurants across the country participating in our Week of Joy.)

You can join this celebration by hosting your Joyful Dinner during this week, too! It can take place at your home, in a local restaurant, or anywhere that friends can gather. The more events that take place during this week, the bigger impact we can have collectively.

Pictured: Slow Food NYC gathered chapter members and friends to enjoy a meal built around local purveyors.

Have questions? Contact us!