Dining With a Purpose | Sizzle Dining to feature record number of restaurants, extravaganza of menu options
An annual food extravaganza is gearing up for its biggest-ever event, with proceeds benefiting a local non-profit that addresses child hunger.
Sizzle Dining runs from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30 and gives participants a chance to indulge in Southwest Florida flavors and delectable cuisines. This year, foodies will have the opportunity to dine at a record-high number of restaurants throughout the month, for less.
Now in its most expansive format to date, the four-week-long event will feature 127 restaurants across Lee and Collier counties, from Cape Coral to Marco Island, offering exclusive two-course lunches and three-course dinners at set prices, all while giving back to the local community.
For every Sizzle Dining meal purchased, $1 is donated for Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that feeds local elementary school children who face food insecurity on weekends.
“We’re very excited to be able to finally kind of see what this could turn into for our community,” said Sizzle Dining Founder Guy Clarke of the longest-length event yet. “At this level — this isn’t just a weekend event anymore, it’s really taken on the essence of what a true community event could be at this level. It’s great to help the community out, and it’s great to see it will help the children out.”
In 2024, the event sold more than 62,000 meals in its three-week run. This year, with a full four weeks lined up, organizers are expecting more 80,000 meals to be enjoyed, each one
contributing directly to the fight against childhood hunger in Southwest Florida.
“It’s not just a dining experience,” Clarke added. “It’s an opportunity to dine with purpose,
supporting the hospitality industry while directly impacting the lives of children in our
community.”
There are no passes or tickets required to participate. Diners simply browse the list ofparticipating restaurants online, make their reservations, and go enjoy their meals, knowing that every bite supports a great cause.
Clarke said dining in the month of September also provides a boost during the slow time of the year, and has a ripple effect beyond just the restaurants.
“This is probably one of the worst summers that I’ve seen since the 2008 crash,” Clarke said. “We’re hoping that enough people come out. Out of all the times we’ve asked for support and for people to participate, this year truly, really matters. Restaurants need the help this year.
“The trickle-down effect not many people realize. The dishwasher gets extra hours, the servers make extra money, the uniform company has to clean more uniforms, the linen company has to rent more linen for the tables because they’re being turned quicker. Even the boutiques benefit, because when you’re going out to dinner, you have to go out and get that dress. I don’t think a lot of people realize how much this helps the community beyond the surface.”
Sizzle Dining features a set-price menu at $19 or $29 for two-course lunches, and $29, $39, or $49 for three-course dinners. There are even a few locations offering a breakfast menu as part of Sizzle Dining.
The charity-driven promotion gives residents the experience of new restaurants, hidden gems to be discovered, and established favorites around Ave Maria, Babcock Ranch, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Marco Island, Naples, and St. James City. Each participating location will offer special Sizzle Dining menus, so customers can try different types of food may normally be outside their comfort zone price-wise.
Sizzle Dining was founded in Naples in 2016 by Clarke, who also is the creator of BaconFest Naples along with his wife Erin Clarke, a culinary school-trained chef and restaurant management consultant. The promotional event originally launched with 26 restaurants as dinner-only. Today, Sizzle Dining has grown into a month-long event that draws thousands of diners.
The event has expanded in size and duration in the past, but this year, the record-setting numbers come from customers clamoring for more time to support and dine, as well as restaurants extending their menu the last week of September.
“Between the restaurants saying they’re going to extend their menu, and the consumer saying they need more time to go try all of these places, and us getting more restaurants on board, it was just a natural growth,” Clarke said. “It’s really amazing to see the balance of growth between the consumers and restaurants.”
Clarke said teaming up with Blessings in a Backpack is a no-brainer, and something that he resonates with from his youth.
“They’re fed during the week with a free lunch program, but what happens when they go home and have to make it through the weekend?” he said. “That’s where Blessings jumps in and says, ‘hey, we’re here to help you.’ The more money we give Blessings, the more kids we can feed.
“If you’re going to go out and indulge, and we’re blessed to be able to eat at these restaurants, it’s nice to know while we’re helping these places and people, that we’re helping the children, too.”
Beyond the obvious charitable component and discounted menus, Sizzle Dining is a great way to explore new spots and possibly find a new favorite restaurant.
“You’ve got all of these restaurants fighting for your attention and they’re coming out with the best of the best on their menu,” Clarke said. “They’re putting their best foot forward to shine and show off a little bit. The consumer gets to benefit because if they’ve never been to a place, more than likely this is going to be one of their better menus that they’re trying to put out there. That makes it exciting as a foodie. What a great time to experiment.”
In Cape Coral, participating restaurants this year include Gather, Fathoms, Next Door, Pinchers, Sage on 47th, Stones Throw, and Two Meatballs in the Kitchen.
“Cape Coral’s restaurant scene is phenomenal and has really exploded these last couple of years,” Clarke said.
Marketing Director for Gather, Fathoms, and Next Door, Valeria Zanella Voisin, said the restaurants love taking part in Sizzle Dining, which has been the case for nearly five years.
“First of all because of the good cost we can pass on to customers, the donations to Blessings in a Backpack, and also because it’s a great opportunity during this time of the year where we have more local residents,” she said. “We feel the event is more focused to them, the ones that support us year-round can get this great deal.”
Zanella Voisin echoed Clarke in that that Sizzle is a great way for people to try new establishments, or even visit their favorite, at a fixed-priced cost that’s lower than usual.
“We love to join and have our restaurants be part of it,” she said.
The chefs at Gather, Fathoms, and Next Door are also fans of the event, as it allows them to create speciality menus.
“They really love the opportunity to be creative,” Zanella Voisin said. “This year we’re also adding a cocktail to the menu to make the bar part of it.”
For those that have never tried Gather, Fathoms, or Next Door, Zanella Voisin said to come in during Sizzle Dining is the best time. At the top of the list? The waterfront locations at Tarpon Point Marina and Cape Harbour.
“We are very lucky that we have beautiful waterfront restaurants,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to come out and experience the beauty of this city that we live in.”
Zanella Voisin said coming out to Fathoms when they have live music, which is often, also offers a bonus to the atmosphere.
“We have music four nights each week,” she said. “We have full bands every Tuesday and Friday, and musicians on Saturdays and Sundays. Experiencing that with the menu, and enjoying a drink outside, or trivia — we have a lot of events happening here.”
At Gather, Zanella Voisin called it a unique menu with Mediterranean flare, and Next Door offers a classic favorite: fresh, homemade pasta.
“You can’t go wrong with that,” she said. “It’s also a very intimate restaurant.”
As for being able to give back to Blessings in a Backpack and to the community, Zanella Voisin said, “We’re always big on helping the community in any way. The community has always been good to us, especially during hard times like COVID and the hurricanes. We love to help Blessings in a Backpack. I would say 90 percent of the reason we join Sizzle is because of the giving-back aspect. It feels right to do it.”
To see the list of the record-breaking 127 participating restaurants, visit sizzledining.com and make your reservation directly with each restaurant.
More information on Blessings in a Backpack.
Fathoms is at 5785 Cape Harbour Drive Suite 106.
Gather is at 5971 Silver King Blvd. Suite 116.
Next Door is at 5971 Silver King Blvd. Suite 114.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com