The owners of the 101 Concepts Restaurant Group feel the pain of Superstorm Sandy personally, as all three were born and raised in New York. Each of the three owners has close friends and family who have lost their homes, cars, every one of their belongings and their businesses by the impact of this horrific storm. For more than a decade 101 Concepts restaurants have given back to the communities in which they are so engrained, whether it’s Sandy Springs, Vinings or metro Atlanta . Now they are asking these same communities to help them give to their loved ones who have been so dramatically impacted by the widespread destruction of this horrendous storm. “With brothers, cousins and life-long friends losing their homes and their livelihoods, we couldn’t just stand by, we need to mobilize our own community effort and provide what they are in need of … funds,” comments 101 Concepts, Co-Owner, Steve Buero. “While many of our friends and family have been fortunate to get basics like clothing and food, unfortunately they don’t have any place to go as their homes and all of the homes of their friends and families have been completely demolished. These funds will hopefully help put a roof back over their heads,” concludes Buero. The 101 Concept’s “Southern Comfort Relief Dinner for Sandy Victims” will be held on Wednesday, December 5th in conjunction with the grand re-opening of Food 101, which has been closed to receive a major facelift. After being Sandy Springs’ most popular Southern restaurant for the past 13 years, the owners felt it was time to add a more casual ambiance to its décor, with a specific move from white tablecloths to butcher block tabletops and many other changes throughout the dining room and bar, which will emerge from the renovation with an identity all its own, renamed “The Barrel Bar.” In honor of the opening of the new Food 101 and even more so to raise funds for the victims of Sandy, this five course fundraising dinner will be created by each of the talented chefs from the 101 Concepts array of restaurants, Food 101, Cibo e Beve and Meehan’s Public House. Led by Food 101’s Executive Chef, Justin Keith, each chef ( Meehan’s Jordan Wakefield, Nathan Rajotte, Val Domingo as well as Cibo e Beve’s Linda Harrell) will be creating a different course for this elaborate dinner. 101 Concept’s Wine Expert, JD Doyle will be selecting the perfect wine to accompany each course. The evening will begin at 6:30m at with a cocktail reception featuring unique cocktails and passed appetizers. During the cocktail hour, guests will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets, the proceeds of which will directly benefit victims of Superstorm Sandy. Guests will then be seated for the remaining courses promptly at 7:30pm and the raffle drawing will be held during the dessert course. The menu will consist of Appetizers: Braised Pork Belly Tostada with Bacon Marmalade, Shrimp and Grit Cake with a Mushroom Thyme Aoili; First Course: Southern Oysters Rockefeller with Collard Greens and Benton’s Smoked Bacon in a Lemon Parmesan Cream; Second Course: Georges Bank Scallops with Foie Gras and Black Truffle Risotto; Third Course: Braised Harris Ranch Beef Cheeks with Roasted Parsnip Puree, Dessert: Hummingbird Cake with Marachino Luxardo and Cream Cheese Frosting. Tickets for the “Southern Comfort Relief Dinner” are $125 (including tax and gratuity) and can be purchased by calling Food 101 at 404.497.9700 and asking for either Dannette or Raymond. All money raised will go directly to The Breezy Point Cooperative Disaster Relief Fund, the Staten Island Emergency Relief Fund and The Rockaways Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. Food 101, located at 4969 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, is open for lunch Monday through Friday, Dinner Monday through Sunday and Sunday Brunch. For more information about the restaurant, including menus and hours of operation, please visit Food 101’s website, www.food101atlanta.com.