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Aw, Shucks! The Publican Oyster Feast Will Raise Funds for Pilot Light
- Bob Benenson
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Also, McHenry County College to Screen Documentary About Women Farmers
Chef Paul Kahan — a co-founder and executive chef of the One Off Hospitality Group — has long been a major participant in the Chicago region's extraordinarily philanthropic culinary community. So it's not surprising that the annual oyster feast known as The Shuck Off — presented at The Publican restaurant in the Fulton Market District — is a charity fundraiser.
And the beneficiary of this year's Shuck Off, to be held this Wednesday (April 8), is near and dear to Paul's heart. It is Pilot Light, the renowned Chicago-based food education non-profit, which Paul co-founded in 2010 with fellow Chefs Matthias Merges, Jason Hammel and Justin Large.
Here's how the organizers describe the event:
Join us on Wednesday, April 8th, from 5–10 PM as Chicago’s Top Bar Stars & Beverage Legends Unite with The Publican Chef/Owner Paul Kahan and Bar Lead Jill Anderson for the 5th Annual Charity Shuck Off!
As always, Paul will be shucking up a storm behind the legendary 8-foot Oyster boat with $2 oysters all night long. Each of our guest bartenders will jump in to assist for designated shucking shifts and are bringing a featured cocktail from their bar to ours for ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Don’t miss an evening of incredible talent, fresh oysters, and community spirit—all in support of charity. Your $20 ticket directly benefits Pilot Light, bringing food education into classrooms across the city.
5pm - 5:50pm: Kyle Davidson of Bar Tutto
5:50pm - 6:40pm: Nicole Yarovinsky of Daisies and The Radicle
6:40pm - 7:30pm: Katie Renshaw of Bar Bambi
7:30pm - 8:20pm: Abe Vucekovich of Friends of Friends
8:20pm - 9:10pm: Scott Kitsmiller of Gus’ Sip & Dip
9:10pm to 10pm: Mike Miller of Delilah’s
The full food and drink menu is available to order à la carte Limited space will be available for walk-ins; reservations are highly encouraged
*This reservation cannot be refunded. No-shows and cancellations will forfeit your payment.
Click the button below to reserve your seat at the table.
There is also an outstanding program coming up on Thursday (April 9) at McHenry County College in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake, featuring a screening of the documentary film Women's Work: The Untold Story of America's Female Farmers.
In recognition of the United Nations' 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, TLC and CCAL invite you to a free screening of Women's Work, followed by a panel discussion with local women farmers from McHenry County.
Though women own more than half of U.S. farming operations, they continue to face significant structural and social barriers affecting their livelihoods and land. This film puts their stories front and center and the panel that follows offers a chance to hear directly from the women doing this work in our own community.
Free popcorn and refreshments will be served. Come learn about the challenges these farmers face and how you can support them.
The event will take place at the college's Luecht Auditorium B170. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., with the film beginning at 6 p.m.