In a generous display of community spirit and culinary excellence, Sizzle Dining wrapped up its most successful “dine with purpose” event to date.
Together, the 127 participating Southwest Florida restaurants sold 87,483 meals and more than 8,000 Sizzle cocktails, with $1 from every meal sold going to help Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, a non-profit organization that provides nutritional food to food-insecure elementary students every Friday throughout the school year. Fueled by his experience with food insecurity as a child, Guy Clarke and his team set a goal to raise more money than in any of the past years. Residents and visitors in Southwest Florida enjoyed creative menus and discovered their new favorite restaurants while participating in this much-anticipated event. Plans are already underway to extend the 10th anniversary Sizzle Dining season and incorporate more heart-healthy options.
Over the past four years, Sizzle Dining has donated more than $150,000, helping to ensure over 30,000 hunger-free weekends for elementary school students across Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.
“This year’s event once again demonstrated the incredible heart of our restaurant community,” said Guy Clarke, executive director of Sizzle Dining. “Local restaurants needed the extra boost during the slow season, and our community came together in record numbers to dine with purpose and raise an extraordinary amount for Blessings in a Backpack. It’s proof that when we support local, everyone wins.”
The 2025 Sizzle Dining event brought new energy to Southwest Florida’s dining scene with exciting culinary offerings, creative prix-fixe menus, and special experiences. Restaurants across the region, from neighborhood favorites to fine dining destinations, participated in the four-week celebration of food, community, and compassion. Notable mentions from this year’s Sizzle Dining include a dollar-for-dollar match from Bone Hook Brewery and Craft Kitchen, with 506 meals sold equating to a $1,102 donation to Blessings in a Backpack. For the third consecutive year, Phelan Family Brands was the top donor, with a total of nineteen of its brand restaurants participating. Additionally, six restaurants participating in Sizzle Dining for the first time made it to the top 20 list for restaurant sales, including Estia, Blackbird Modern Asian, Hogfish Harry’s, M Waterfront Grille, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen + Bar, Naples, and Alice Sweetwater’s Bar & Grille.
In addition to helping local children in need, Sizzle Dining continues to play a vital role in strengthening the regional economy. The event also:
- Contributes more than $5 million annually to the Southwest Florida economy by driving business to local restaurants during one of the slowest times of the year.
- Fosters community pride by encouraging residents and visitors to explore and support locally owned establishments.
- Stimulates job growth and boosts revenue across the hospitality supply chain.
- Attracts tourism, drawing visitors to Lee and Collier counties for unique dining experiences.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Sizzle Dining, with even more restaurants expressing interest in participating and expanding on this year’s success. Save the dates for September 1–30, 2026.
About Sizzle Dining
Sizzle Dining began in 2016 as an 11–day dining event in Naples. Year after year, it has grown substantially thanks to the commitment of local restaurateurs and Sizzle’s founders, Guy and Erin Clarke. Each year, participating local restaurants create mouth-watering prix-fixe breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that highlight their Chefs’ impressive culinary skills. The menus are offered at affordable prices to encourage visitors to try a variety of local restaurants. This event helps drum up business for our local dining scene during one of the slowest months of the year in Southwest Florida. On top of the much-needed boost to our local culinary industry, Sizzle Dining, a 509(a)(2) nonprofit, gives back to the community in an even more impactful way. For every meal purchased, restaurant owners donate $1 of their proceeds to help Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, an incredible organization that helps feed our local food-insecure elementary school children over the weekends. For more information, visit SizzleDining.org.