CKP January 2026 Guest Chef Dinner Featuring Wei Zhu from Chengdu
Description
Get ready for a bold, unforgettable evening as we welcome Chef Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet for a "One Night Only" dinner celebrating the depth and soul of authentic Sichuan cuisine.
Known for his masterful balance of heat, spice, and complexity, Chef Wei brings the flavors that have made Chengdu Gourmet a regional favorite, earning him national acclaim, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.
Recently selected as an official vendor for the NFL Draft, Chef Wei's cooking represents the very best of Pittsburgh's food scene, blending tradition, technique, and unmistakable flavor. You'll enjoy a thoughtfully-curated menu showcasing Sichuan classics and signature dishes, each telling a story of heritage, craft, and community.
As with all CKP Guest Chef Dinners, proceeds support our mission to transform lives through culinary training and job placement.
Come hungry, leave inspired. Experience why Chef Wei Zhu's food is making waves far beyond the kitchen.
This event will take place at our facility in Hazelwood on Thursday, January 29th, beginning at 5:30pm ET.
1.27.2026: The recent winter storm has resulted in a lack of parking availability and unpassable sidewalks due to snow, and out of concern for everyone's safety, we have RESCHEDULED the event to Thursday, February 12th.
MENU*:
SiChuan Style Dumpling (Pork) in red chili (this dish is a little spicy)
Allergens: soy
Kung Pao Chicken (Crispy chicken, peanuts, and vegetables in a spicy sauce)
Allergens: soy, peanut
Mapo Tofu with Minced Beef
Allergens: soy
ABOUT CHEF WEI:
Bio coming soon.
SEATING:
We'll be assigning seats prior to the event. If you would like to be seated with guests who have purchased their tickets separately, please email us with the name(s) of the guest(s) who purchased their ticket(s) and the number in their party. Email info@ckpgh.org with "January Guest Chef Seating" in the subject.
PLEASE NOTE that this is a fixed menu, and while we do our best to accommodate guests regarding food allergies, menu substitutions may not be possible. Please keep in mind that our kitchen is not a nut-free facility.
If you have food allergies and would still like to attend, please contact us (info@ckpgh.org with "Guest Chef Dinner Allergy Inquiry" in the subject), with your allergy concern before purchasing your tickets to confirm that we can accommodate.
A Little About Our Guest Chef Dinners:
In our commercial training kitchen, our Signature Guest Chef Dinner Series gives our culinary jobs training students the opportunity to work with chefs from across Pittsburgh. While working alongside our Guest Chefs, our adult students gain valuable work experience and perhaps new techniques from the chefs, who are volunteering their time and talents for the event.
As one of our social enterprises, proceeds from these dinner events support our program, helping us change lives as we provide NO-COST Culinary Jobs Training to community members who may be facing barriers to employment.
When you purchase your ticket to a Guest Chef Dinner, your dollars make change.
PARKING & ENTRANCES:
FAQs
- Is the event BYOB?
Yes, guests 21 years of age and older may BYO beer or wine to this event. There is a $10 "corkage" fee to be at the register.
- Is there parking?
Yes, there is parking available in our lot, as well as the small gravel lot next to our building, free parking along Flowers Avenue, and in the brightly-colored painted lot on the next block down Second Avenue near 1:11 Juice.
- Do we just sit anywhere?
We will be assigning seats for this event. By default, you will automatically be seated with the guests in your ticket group (under the ticket buyer's name), depending on your party size, you may be seated with other soon-to-be new friends from the community. If you would like to be seated with other guests who purchased their tickets separately, please email us at info@ckpgh.org with "January Guest Chef Seating" in the subject with the name(s) of the other guests and their party count. We will do our best to accommodate your request. If you would like us to accommodate a mobility concern, please email us at info@ckpgh.org with "January Guest Chef Mobility Accommodations" in the subject, and we'll be happy to assist.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
