Peruvian chef Arnaldo Castillo joins We Love Buford Highways FEAST event

Chef Arnaldo Castillo of Tio Lucho’s is a James Beard semifinalist. (File photo) Credit: Tio Lucho's We Love Buford Highway is preparing for its third FEAST fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 15 in Chamblee to support food insecurity, youth music, and business programs along Atlanta’s most culturally diverse corridor. Last year’s FEAST attracted 200 attendees, and this year We Love Buford Highway Executive Director Lily Pabian is aiming for 250. The 2024 event raised $55,000 for Feeding Families, The Buford Highway Business Circle, The Buford Highway Youth Orchestra Project, the Oral History Archive, and others. Unrestricted funds are vital for building capacity and strengthening We Love Buford Highway’s ability to continue its critical work during a time of rapid growth and change along the corridor, according to Pabian. Although FEAST is new, We Love Buford Highway was established in 2015 by Marian Liou. One of the first accomplishments of the organization, even before it became a 501c3 nonprofit in 2018, was the creation of the International Dining Guide to Buford Highway. Pabian joined in 2019 as the new executive director, and within three years We Love Buford Highway issued two photography collections reflecting the resilience of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and raising awareness of space and belonging. Monthly food distributions started, and the Buford Highway Orchestra Program for children was established. One of the most widely-known projects happened when Little Amal marched down Buford Highway in 2023 – an arts and culture initiative to celebrate immigrant communities. Pabian continues to push the organization to address issues that impact immigrant neighborhoods and their communities. La Orquesta, the story of the Buford Highway Orchestra Program, is reigniting “Voices of a Highway” podcast series. FEAST is an evening of flavors, experience, art, stories and tradition, offering “an immersive celebration of the rich cultural tapestry that defines Buford Highway,” a press release stated. This year, FEAST welcomes Peruvian chef Arnaldo Castillo, a 2024 James Beard Awards semifinalist, and owner of Tio Lucho’s in Atlanta’s Poncey Highland neighborhood. “This event is more than a celebration—it’s a crucial way for us to raise the resources needed to protect Buford Highway’s rich cultural fabric. As rapid development continues to reshape our region, our mission to preserve the multicultural identity of the corridor has never been more urgent,” Pabian said. The post Peruvian chef Arnaldo Castillo joins We Love Buford Highways FEAST event appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.