This Sunday, April 12, marks the 13th iteration of the annual Eat Drink Love, the flagship fundraiser for the Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF). The event will take place at Olive + Oak (216 W. Lockwood), co-owned by hosts Jennifer and Mark Hinkle.
For the past 12 years, Eat Drink Love has established itself as one of St. Louis’ premier culinary events, uniting the city’s leading chefs, wine distributors, breweries, and generous supporters for an afternoon filled with food, drink, and philanthropy.
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“In our inaugural year, 2013, we raised $35,000. Last year, we exceeded $600,000 in just one afternoon,” Mark shares. “Remarkably, we had 800 attendees before COVID. After relocating to our new venue, we had to limit attendance to around 350 but still raised as much money as ever. I’m thrilled to report that last year, we surpassed the $10 million milestone in donations.”
“People continue to contribute at astonishing levels,” he continues, “and the foundation has responded by achieving remarkable outcomes. We maintain full transparency to ensure our supporters can see the tangible impact of our efforts.”
The event transforms The Hall at Olive + Oak into a culinary haven with approximately 20 restaurant vendors and a similar number of beverage distributors. Attendees can look forward to exceptional dishes from some of the city’s most renowned chefs, including Qui Tran (Mai Lee, Nudo House), Gerard Craft and Evy Swoboda (Niche Food Group), Kevin Nashan (Sidney Street Cafe, Peacemaker Lobster & Crab), Loryn Nalic (Balkan Treat Box, Telva at the Ridge), the Tilford brothers (Session Taco, Lapez Mod Mex, Sobremesa), and the team from Pappy’s Smokehouse.
New participants this year include Heidi Hamamura (Taberu STL), Andrew Cisneros (Jalea, Brasas, Rockwell Beer Co. taproom), Julie Truong (DD Mau), the culinary team from No Ordinary Rabbit, and executive chef Luke McKean of Carbon Members Club in Clayton.
On the beverage front, Mark succinctly stated, “Over the years, we have been fortunate that the distributors have consistently brought out high-quality selections. It’s hard to enter a room filled with 175-200 premium wines.”
Additional highlights include a Fund-A-Need segment, a “Bad Ass Wine Basket” raffle, and a silent auction. The event will take place from 3–6 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person and can be purchased here.
The Foundation
The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation was founded following the heartbreaking loss of the Hinkles’ 13-month-old son, Oliver, to congenital heart disease, the most prevalent birth defect in the U.S. and the leading cause of infant mortality. Initially focused on funding research, the foundation has since evolved to address both medical advancements and the everyday challenges faced by families affected by heart conditions.
“Will a cure for congenital heart disease be found? Probably not without significant genetic advancements,” Mark explains. “Thus, our focus has shifted to raising awareness of its prevalence, enhancing care, improving diagnostics, implementing less invasive treatments, and supporting families living with CHD.”
