What a night! On April 10, more than 200 guests gathered at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in The Packing District for the inaugural Dock & Dine: Anchoring Support for 4Roots Farm — an evening where food, music, and philanthropy came together to celebrate community and grow a healthier future.
The event, hosted by The Packing District, featured a sold-out VIP experience with a live cooking demonstration and tasting led by acclaimed chefs Akhtar Nawab and Kevin Fonzo, emceed by 4Roots Founder & CEO John Rivers. Guests savored Chef Fonzo’s savory porchetta with cannellini beans and braised greens alongside Chef Nawab’s rich mushroom Bolognese with spaetzle — a true culinary showcase.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came when Dr. Phillips Charities announced $50,000 in grants — awarding $40,000 to 4Roots Farm and $10,000 to Edible Education Experience to advance food education and sustainable farming efforts in Central Florida. Guests added to the momentum by contributing more than $6,000 in onsite donations, underscoring the community’s shared commitment to building a better food future.
Throughout the evening, attendees explored the food hall’s international offerings from 11 local vendors, connected with community partners including HOTWORX Orlando (College Park), Foxtail Coffee Co., SWTHZ, and the Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA, and soaked in the electric energy of a night dedicated to good food and good work.
Live music by Yachty by Nature kept the vibe high and the dance floor lively, bringing nostalgic yacht rock hits that had guests smiling and singing along until the end.
“Dock & Dine was a celebration of community and the power of investing in local solutions,” 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,” shared John Rivers. “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.”
We are filled with gratitude for The Packing District, Dr. Phillips Charities, our community partners, vendors, and every guest who joined us for this memorable evening.