The livestream on Facebook will benefit the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
Celeb chef and all around great human Guy Fieri has spearheaded fundraising efforts for the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF), raising over $20 million to provide one-time grants for unemployed service industry workers. But just because he’s already allocated over 40,000 $500 checks doesn’t mean his efforts have ended there.
In fact, the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives star is teaming up with Tostitos for a virtual cook-off to benefit the relief fund. The “Nacho Average Showdown,” which will air live on Facebook Friday, May 15, will pit Fieri and his son Hunter against Bill Murray and his own chef/restauranteur offspring, Homer Murray. Both teams will create their own signature nacho recipes for judges Terry Crews and Shaquille O’Neal, with Food Network host Carla Hall as emcee.
“My entire career has been in the restaurant business. From bussing tables to flambe captain to dishwasher to chef… I have done it all,” Fieri said in a statement to Thrillist. “I’ve also spent the better part of the last 15 years traveling this great country meeting other folks who’ve dedicated their lives to this business, and let me tell you something, they are the hardest working, most real deal workers you’ve ever met… the heartbeats of their communities. But they need our help and with the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, we can serve up some support when these restaurant employees need it most… right now.”
While the throw down streams live on social media, fans are encouraged to give to RERF via the Food Network’s Facebook page, where you’ll find an easy-to-use donate button. You can also make a donation directly on the site.
“The ‘Nacho Average Showdown’ is all about generating awareness and financial relief for the restaurant workers across the nation who are hurting and out of work,” SVP of marketing at Frito-Lay Marissa Solis said in the press release. “Tostitos and PepsiCo are proud to put our support behind this cause and are so grateful for partners like Guy and Bill for helping make this event a success.”
Fans can tune in Friday, May 15, at 5pm ET for the showdown. Just make sure to order in takeout before the live stream starts — your stomach and local restaurants will thank you.
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Megan Schaltegger is a staff writer at Thrillist.
