The Packing District Hosts Inaugural Dock & Dine, Celebrating Community, Culinary Talent, and over $55,000 in Grants and Donations to Local Food Education Nonprofits
Event brings together over 200 guests, top chefs, and local nonprofits for an unforgettable night
ORLANDO, Fla. – [April 16, 2025] – On April 10th, more than 250 guests gathered at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District for Dock & Dine: Anchoring Support for 4Roots Farm, a unique evening of food, music, and philanthropy.
Hosted by The Packing District, the event featured a sold-out VIP experience with a live cooking demonstration and tasting by two acclaimed chefs: Chef Akhtar Nawab, known for his modern multicultural cuisine, and Chef Kevin Fonzo, a beloved Orlando culinary educator. The demo was emceed by John Rivers, Founder & CEO of 4Roots Farm.
During the evening, Dr. Phillips Charities awarded $50,000 in grants, $40,000 to 4Roots Farm and $10,000 to Edible Education Experience, all in effort to advance food education and sustainable farming in Central Florida. Guests, including the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Foundation, also contributed more than $6,000 in donations to 4Roots through onsite fundraising efforts.
The evening spotlighted the food hall’s global offerings, as attendees enjoyed international cuisine from 11 local vendors. VIP guests enjoyed Chef Fonzo’s flavorful porchetta with cannellini beans and braised greens alongside Chef Nawab’s rich mushroom Bolognese with spaetzle.
In addition to food and philanthropy, Dock & Dine was a showcase of the vibrant Packing District community, with vendors and partners like HOTWORX Orlando (College Park), Foxtail Coffee Co., SWTHZ, 4Roots Farm, and the Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA tabling throughout the evening.
“Dock & Dine highlighted the impact we can make when we invest in our community,” said Ken Robinson, President & CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities. “Supporting organizations like 4Roots and Edible Education Experience aligns with our mission to build a healthier, more sustainable future for Central Florida.”
“It was an honor to be the inaugural recipient of Dock & Dine,” said 4Roots Founder and CEO, John Rivers. “It was a spectacular evening with some amazing chefs celebrating our community’s commitment to food education and sustainable farming. We are so grateful for the support of Dr. Phillips Charities and their belief in our mission to transform how our community thinks about, accesses, and interacts with food.”
Throughout the night, guests enjoyed smooth yacht rock tunes from Yachty by Nature, whose lively performance brought a fun, nostalgic energy to the event. Their upbeat performance kept energy high and guests dancing from start to finish, making music a core part of the Dock & Dine experience.
About The Packing District
The Packing District is a 202-acre transformational project centered at the intersection of Princeton Street and Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, preserving and recapturing a defining part of our community’s history while providing a vibrant base of living and commerce. Historic buildings are being repurposed, integrated with new uses, and connected to dedicated public spaces by a new and bold plan for urban trails and a new 100-acre public park, The Grove (gifted to the City of Orlando) dedicated to health and wellness, education, arts and community, and sustainability. Preparations began to ready the site for construction in 2018. Since then, construction has continued, with the project continuing to mature over the next 10-15 years.
To learn more, visit www.packingdistrictorlando.com and follow The Packing District on Facebook and Instagram.
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