Chefs partner to cook Boulder shelter meals

Driving the news: All Roads, formerly known as the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, will launch its "Chefs at the Shelter" program Monday, per a release.

• Once a month, a guest chef from a local restaurant will join the shelter's kitchen staff to prepare dinner for up to 180 nightly guests.

How it works: About 90% of the shelter's food is donated, so chefs won't know what they're cooking until they arrive, creating "a mission-driven culinary challenge in the spirit of the popular cooking show 'Chopped.'"

Yes, but: "We're not here to flex – we're here to feed people and help our community," said Sink chef Chris Cunningham.

• Participating restaurants include: Blackbelly, The Buff, Café Aion, Centro, Chautauqua Dining Hall, Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, River & Woods, The Post, The Sink, T/aco and West End Tavern.
• Alpine Bank and the Daily Camera are sponsors.

What they're saying: "Chefs at the Shelter is more than just a dinner service. It reflects a core belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect," said Michael Block, CEO of All Roads, in a statement.

How to help: Each event offers $1,000 sponsorships to help cover meals and shelter costs.

The big picture: Boulder continues to look for ways to address homelessness, particularly chronic homelessness.