Root Celebrates Impact and Community at Annual Rooted in Community Event

Root Celebrates Impact and Community at Annual Rooted in Community Event

North Shore culinary training nonprofit brings food, magic, and mission together at the Cabot Theater on October 16

Beverly, Massachusetts – When a community invests in feeding opportunity alongside feeding people, remarkable things happen. Root, the North Shore’s innovative culinary training and community catering organization, will celebrate eight years of transformative impact at its annual Rooted in Community event on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the historic Cabot Theater.

This isn’t just another fundraising gala—it’s a celebration of what locally driven change looks like when culinary training, workforce development, and food security come together under one mission.

A Night That Showcases the Recipe for Change

The evening promises to be as engaging as it is meaningful. North Shore celebrity chef Anna Rossi returns as host for an event that truly puts Root’s mission center stage. Attendees will experience cooking demonstrations from Root alumni chefs, proving that the program’s graduates aren’t just finding jobs—they’re building careers and showcasing their skills.

The festivities blend entertainment with purpose: magic from Anton the Magician, live music from Three Second Chances, and remarks from Root graduates who will share their own stories of transformation. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and small plates highlighting locally sourced ingredients, all prepared by Root alumni.

Recognition for Front-Line Food Security Leadership

In a powerful moment of community recognition, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll will join the celebration to present the Root Community Leadership Award to Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry. This annual award honors key partners and allies in Root’s mission, and Burns’ selection acknowledges her exceptional leadership in addressing food insecurity across the North Shore.

It’s a fitting tribute that connects two organizations working at different points along the food access continuum—one training the workforce, the other serving those in need—both essential to community wellbeing.

An Auction That Funds Opportunity

The live and online auction, opening Friday, October 9th at 9:00 AM, features experiences and items that reflect the culinary world’s generosity and the community’s creativity. Bidders can compete for a behind-the-scenes VIP experience at America’s Test Kitchen, autographed cookbooks from legendary chef Jacques Pépin, unique and hard-to-find wines, cooking classes, local dining experiences, curated food and wine selections, and community art.

Every bid and every ticket purchased directly benefits Root’s three core programs: Culinary Training, Alumni Employment, and Community Catering. These aren’t abstract programs—they’re pathways to economic stability, food security, and community connection.

Eight Years of Measurable Impact

Since 2017, Root has proven that investing in people through culinary training creates ripples far beyond individual lives. The numbers tell a compelling story:

• 234 trainees graduated from Root’s Culinary Training Program
• Over 50 employment opportunities created for Root alumni
• 130,000+ meals prepared for those facing food insecurity

But behind every statistic is a person who gained skills, found employment, and discovered opportunity. Behind every meal is a community member who had access to nutritious food. This is what locally driven solutions accomplish—they address multiple challenges simultaneously while strengthening the entire community fabric.

Why Local Organizations Like Root Matter

Root’s model demonstrates something crucial: food can be a tool for training, employment, and community support all at once. The organization’s Community Catering initiative addresses local food access while supporting local farms and producers, creating a closed loop that keeps resources and impact within the community.

This integrated approach—training people in culinary skills, employing graduates, and using those skills to address food insecurity—exemplifies why locally driven nonprofits are so vital. They understand community needs intimately and create solutions that address multiple challenges rather than working in silos.

Community Leadership Makes It Possible

The event is co-chaired by Kate Dodge, Carol Lavoie Schuster, and Lauren Kroesser Moran, with support from an impressive host committee of North Shore community leaders. Their involvement reflects the broad coalition of support Root has built—business leaders, philanthropists, and community advocates all united around a mission of feeding opportunity and community.

Be Part of the Recipe for Change

Rooted in Community 2025
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The Cabot Theater
Tickets: Available now

The event welcomes anyone who believes in the power of culinary training to transform lives, the importance of addressing food insecurity, and the value of creating employment pathways for those who need them most.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Faith Emerson at femerson@rootns.org or 978-616-7615×106.

Stay tuned for additional auction item announcements and event updates as October 16th approaches.

Root is a North Shore nonprofit dedicated to addressing food insecurity and creating employment opportunities through culinary training, alumni employment programs, and community catering initiatives.