QuickTake:

Food for Lane County’s 34th annual Chefs’ Night Out fundraiser showcased the culinary work of more than 50 local chefs and makers. What were some of the tastiest morsels?

Lobster-stuffed shells with black truffle cream. Pork belly burnt ends tacos. Corndogs. 

These were just a few of the dozens of bites offered Monday night, April 6, during Food for Lane County’s 34th annual Chefs’ Night Out.

The sold-out event attracted 1,200 attendees, with more than 50 Lane County food establishments, wineries and breweries showing off their culinary and fermentation chops.

In all, the nonprofit food bank raised just over $160,000 — enough money to provide 300,000 meals to Lane County residents in need.

“Chefs’ Night Out is a night rooted in purpose, because while we enjoy this amazing food and community, we’ve come together to make sure that every one of our neighbors has access to food,” Executive Director Carolyn Stein said.

Chefs’ Night Out was founded in 1991 by the late restaurateur Mike West as a way to raise money for the food bank. During this year’s event, an entire pig was roasted in honor of West, who died in 2011.

During its 34-year run (the event was paused for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Chefs’ Night Out has raised more than $3 million, funding more than 6 million meals.

Chefs’ Night Out on April 6, 2026, brought more than 50 chefs and makers, and raised more than $160,000. Credit: Taylor Goebel / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Aside from its mission, Chef’s Night Out is also a way to move through Lane County’s culinary scene under one roof. And not just restaurants: My favorite bite of the night came from a museum, and Network Charter School students kept me hydrated with their lavender and raspberry compote lemonade. 

For full disclosure, my stomach was not big enough to try everything, but here are my five most memorable bites of the night:

  1. Earl Grey cookie, Shelton McMurphey Johnson House. This was my first and best bite of the night. It was tea in cookie form: Buttery melt-in-your-mouth shortbread, black tea leaves ground into the dough, bergamot orange and sanding sugar that lingered on the tongue. FYI: The museum offers afternoon tea about eight times per year inside a historic Victorian home nestled at the edge of Skinner Butte Park. The next three will occur at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 16 and at 3 p.m. on May 17. Tickets go on sale April 16.
  2. Ceviche mixto, Chef Lino’s. The shrimp and octopus in this vibrant Peruvian dish were exceptionally tender. Add to that a bright citrus marinade, crunchy cucumber and onion, tomato and a bite-sized kick of jalapeño, and you’ve got an excellent ceviche.
  3. Lemongrass tofu, WildPlate. If the Lemongrass tofu is any indication of the quality and flavor of WildPlate, a new food truck that will open at PublicHouse in Springfield this month, I will be pulling up for a full-sized plate. WildPlate comes from the same chef/owner of Moi Poki Grill, with more Southeast Asian influences. The lemongrass tofu was fragrant and perfectly seared, placed on a bed of nutty black rice with a coconut sauce. The sambal brought vinegary heat. I was not surprised this dish won best vegetarian bite.
  4. Shrimp and grits, Fisherman’s Market. This is one of the few dishes I finished. The grits were creamy, the shrimp were perfectly cooked, and the sauce was lightly spiced and savory. Enough said.
  5. Salmorejo, Elizabeth’s. I experienced a new soup tonight. Salmorejo is a cold soup from southern Spain. It’s summery and tomato-forward, thickened with bread and spiked with vinegar and garlic. To finish, Elizabeth’s sprinkled on crispy ham. The crostini was an ideal utensil. This bite was further proof that the best food is made from simple, high-quality ingredients.
Bates Catering’s 23-hour smoked brisket was one of myriad bites offered at Chefs’ Night Out on April 6, 2026. Credit: Taylor Goebel / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

The official winners of the night were selected by a panel of 14 judges that included Cafe Soriah owner Ibrahim Hamide and James Beard-nominated chef and Yardy Rum Bar owner Isaiah Martinez. Attendees cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. 

The winners

Mike West Overall Best Bite

Winners (tie): Agate Alley Bistro and Lane Community College Culinary Arts
Honorable mentions (tie): Moi Poki and Seasoned

People’s Choice

Winners (tie): Fisherman’s Market and Seasoned
Honorable mention: Network Charter School Culinary Arts Program

Agate Alley Bistro and Lane Community College (LCC) Culinary Arts tied for Overall Best Bite at Chefs’ Night Out on Monday, April 6, 2026. Credit: Taylor Goebel / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Presentation and Hospitality

Winner: Sweet Life Patisserie
Honorable mention: LCC Culinary Arts

Best Savory Bite

Winner: The Corndog Company
Honorable mention: Seasoned

Best Sweet Bite

Winner: Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
Honorable mention: Sweet Life Patisserie

Best Vegetarian Bite

Winner: WildPlate
Honorable mention: Southpine Bakery

Best Gluten-Free Bite (new)

Winner: Moi Poki
Honorable mention: Sunriver Brewing Co.

Chefs and makers pose for a group shot during Food for Lane County’s 34th annual Chefs’ Night Out fundraiser, which brought in just over $160,000 to support the nonprofit food bank. Credit: Taylor Goebel / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Taylor Goebel covers Lane County's food and drink scene. She has nearly a decade of experience in multimedia journalism, having reported across the Mid-Atlantic on dining, food systems, education, healthcare, local elections, labor and business. She was most recently a food reporter in Washington state, where she documented a fourth-generation fishing family, covered a David vs. Goliath conflict between a national coffee chain and a small Turkish cafe, and had many culinary firsts, from ensaymadas and gilgeori (Korean street) toast to morels and black cod.