August 22 has been set as the grand opening date for Taste, a pay-what-you-can restaurant dedicated to fighting food insecurity, nonprofit Taste Project announced Tuesday.
The nonprofit restaurant will be located at 1200 South Main St. in the Near Southside. Diners will be encouraged to either pay what they can afford, pay what they would normally pay, or pay a little extra. According to a news release, Taste will serve "fresh and healthy" meals made with local, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is currently looking for 500 volunteers who could help with tasks like hosting, seating and event planning.
Taste Project founder and chef Jeff Williams, along with One World Every Body Eats founder Denise Cerreta, recently accepted the 2017 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award. The award is given to those who are both working in food and putting in efforts to help the community.
“Soup kitchens are good, but not everyone feels good about going there," Williams said. "We hope the recognition from the James Beard Foundation allows us to better reach the underserved hungry in our community with dignity, love and respect."