Sponsorship & Underwriting Opportunities: Is your company or family interested in sponsoring West Side Chops? Check out our sponsorship packages for more details or call Executive Director Crystal Selk or Director of Operations Mary Schaefer at 716-884-6616.
We are accepting applications from chefs interested in
competing in our 2026 West Side Chops fundraiser!
For more information, contact us at info @ wscsbuffalo.org or call 716-884-6616 x105.
2026 EVENT DETAILS
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Forbes Theater at 500 Pearl Street, Buffalo 14202
What: Six local chefs will compete against each other in a Chopped-style cooking contest using ingredients commonly found at our food pantry, Provisions 139. Guests will be invited to try a sample plate from each chef, then vote on who will take home the title of People’s Choice Chef. A panel of judges will also assess the chefs’ offerings and crown a Judges’ Choice Chef.
Additional food/drink: Additional nibbles are included with your ticket! We’ll also have beer, wine, and NA options at the bar (first drink included with your standard ticket).
Raffle and Silent Auction: Buy some raffle tickets or bid on packages for a chance to win culinary prizes like gift certificates to local restaurants, specialty kitchenware/bakeware, spices, cookbooks, and more! Raffle tickets and silent auction bidding are available exclusively to event attendees.
Tickets
Tickets will go on sale in early March!
FAQs
Where can I park?
Parking options for our 2026 event will be provided here when information has been finalized.
The venue is on an upper floor. Is there an elevator?
Yes, there is an elevator to reach the event space.
I bought tickets. When can I expect to receive them?
Guests will check in at the event with their first and last names. We are not issuing digital or physical tickets.
Is this a live cooking competition like "Chopped?"
Our competing chefs will prepare their dishes offsite and simply finish up their plating/presentation at the event. On the TV show “Chopped,” competing chefs have to make dishes for only three judges. For West Side Chops, our chefs have to make enough small plates to feed 200+ guests, plus three judges, so we thought it would be better for them to cook offsite!
I am buying tickets now but I'm not sure who will be using them yet. How should I fill out the guest name fields? / I need to make a change to my guest names. How can I do that?
If you are buying tickets now but you’re not sure who will use them, simply write “TBD” in the guest name fields on the ticket ordering form.
Email us at info@wscsbuffalo.org to update your guest names.
I have dietary restrictions/food allergies. Can I still attend West Side Chops?
We would love to have you attend the event, but, unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions due to the nature of the competition. The dishes submitted by the six competing chefs will be vegetarian. A list of ingredients will be posted at each chef’s station so that you can make an informed decision about each dish.
Some additional nibbles will be available within the event (included with your ticket) and we will strive to have a good variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners:
