Chef Lisa Dahl Hosts Film and Feast Benefit and Gala Weekend

“I’m pouring everything from my soul into the planning of three events that will be unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” said Dahl. “Over an extraordinary three-day weekend, each event will be filled with beauty, brilliant entertainment, wine fit for royalty, laughter, love, artistry and, of course, incredible food. But the true gift isn’t the celebrations, it’s what we can do together.”

Guests from around the world are expected to convene in Sedona to make history and officially kick off what Dahl is calling “the 2026 year of action.” The Lisa Dahl Foundation, whose focused efforts through the last year, since becoming a 501(c)(3) organization, have advanced significantly, she says, toward the foundation’s target mission of mobilizing to help restore dignity and respect while bringing nutritious food and clean water to Native American Nations and equally deserving communities.

“We will nourish communities with Soup Hope – The Universal Soup of Love,” she said. “Your ticket, your bid [during event auctions], your referral and your ongoing donations all matter.”

A Tribute to the Forgotten People

On Friday, Dec. 12, Mariposa will set the stage for the weekend’s opening luncheon and what Dahl describes as an afternoon of “inspired cuisine, heartfelt performances and moments designed to move you to your core.” As a legacy to Dahl’s late son, Justin, she has choreographed the “Native American Cultures, Film, Music, and Friendships” experience.

“We begin on the sacred ground at Mariposa, attend a screening of our film, ‘Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace,’ then return for a celebration of Indigenous artistry and music featuring tribal drumming, native flutes and storytelling that reminds us of who walked this land before us, followed with incredible food,” she said.

Celebrazione Fiesta: A Night of Divine Romance 

In honor of the restaurant that began a culinary empire, which had a major impact on the local workforce and sparked Sedona’s international reputation as a foodie destination, Dahl invites guests to “dress in their finest Italian threads” and join in a 30th anniversary dinner at Dahl & Di Luca, “Celebrazione Fiesta,” which means celebration Italian style.   

“This intimate, romantic, extraordinary wine dinner will be crafted in homage to my lifelong passion: Italian soul food,” she said. “Together with David Dimler, our beloved wine director for 26 years and recipient of 48 Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, we have designed an unforgettable six-course meal to embrace the evening.”

‘When You Cook With Love, You Feed the Soul’ 

The weekend finale includes a “hands-in-the-dough” event, with the Pizza and Wine Brunch at Pisa Lisa in the Village of Oak Creek, Sunday, Dec. 14. “We’ll don complimentary ‘When you cook with love, you feed the soul’ aprons to make pizza together, sip our new private-label wine Passionista de Sedona, sample our Soup Hope blend and share a Sunday that is definitely going to be a ball!” said Dahl.

Her unique soup is a savory, plant-based, gluten-free Minestra featuring 27 varieties of organic heirloom beans and legumes, combined with an array of organically grown vegetables, fresh herbs and spices. “This rich and nourishing soup embodies both the artistry of gourmet cooking and the science of balanced nutrition, delivering a meal that is not only delicious but also deeply restorative,” she said.

Soup Hope is sold in all six of her Sedona restaurants. Proceeds from Project Soup Hope support communities in need, where poverty and natural emergencies have created food insecurity.

Turning Passion into Action 

From the time she was a little girl, Dahl says she has known she was meant to serve a higher purpose. “I didn’t always know what form it would take, but now I do. Feeding people is my calling.”

For the past year or so, she has been sharing a favorite phrase: Passion without action is just a word. “I get tears when I think about how close we now are to making this a reality. Now is the time for action. By joining us this weekend, you’re not just attending an unforgettable event, you are giving life to a cause that can change lives. Soup Hope and our other key foundation initiatives can start a movement that proves compassion is the most powerful ingredient we possess.”

Those attending multiple events will receive an Epicurean Goodie Bag featuring culinary treasures, including Dahl’s new wine, artisan olive oil and other surprises. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.lisadahlfoundation.org/gala_weekend. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: The Film and Feast Benefit and Gala Weekend will open at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill in Sedona with a celebration of Indigenous artistry and music featuring tribal drumming, Native flutes and storytelling. The three-day event launches The Dahl Foundation and promotes Project Soup Hope, a Chef Lisa Dahl initiative aimed at feeding communities facing food insecurity.