Beloved Burger Joint Partners with Star Chef to Support Local Nonprofit Southern Smoke
As part of Shake Shack’s collab series Now Serving, Shake Shack’s culinary team has joined forces with James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd to create a one-of-a-kind menu item for a good cause. Aptly named the “Southern Smoke Chicken” sandwich, this menu item will be available in limited quantities on Thursday, March 4th at the Montrose and Rice Village Shake Shack locations. Proceeds from the sandwich will be donated directly to Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke, a Houston-based, national crisis relief organization for people in the food and beverage industry.
“We’ve had the chance to get to know Chris since we opened our Montrose location in 2019, and we’ve been dreaming of the opportunity to partner for quite a while,” said Mark Rosati, Culinary Director of Shake Shack. “Not only have we had the ability to create something delicious and unique with a Houston legend, but we’re also really proud to be able to support Chris’ foundation and the wonderful work he’s doing in the community.”
The thoughtfully-crafted Southern Smoke Chicken features a crispy, hand-breaded chicken breast topped with spicy bacon jam, which pays homage to one of Chris’ most popular menu items, his bacon sausage, pickled jalapeño mustard, cherry peppers and shredded lettuce – all sandwiched between a non-GMO Martin’s potato roll. Priced at $7.39, the sandwich will be available for purchase in-store or via the Shack app and web while supplies last.
The partnership for this one-day-only offering is part of Shake Shack’s “Now Serving” series, where the brand is collaborating with local chefs across America in an effort to give back and support local organizations as well as create unique and delicious menu items. The series highlights Shake Shack’s mission to Stand for Something Good,® from its commitment to delivering the ultimate guest experience and sourcing of premium ingredients to supporting and investing in the people and communities around the world. For more information on the collab series, please visit Shake Shack’s blog here.
“It’s been wonderful partnering with the Shake Shack team to get creative for a good cause and I’m stoked this collaboration will give back to Southern Smoke,” said Chris Shepherd, Owner & Executive Chef of Underbelly Hospitality and Co-Founder & Curator of Southern Smoke. “We worked off the classic, delicious Shake Shack chicken sandwich and added some elements that speak to the local cuisine and flavors here in Texas. We can’t wait for Houston to try it out.”
To celebrate the collab, Shake Shack will partner with Southern Smoke to host two additional Donation Days, donating 25 percent of sales proceeds from supporters back to Southern Smoke. Guests will be able to participate in these Donation Days on March 1st and 2nd via in-store orders as well as on the Shack App and website by inputting the code “Donation” prior to check out! Additionally, fans can expect live music, custom merch and more when visiting the shack on March 4th.
Photos can be found here: https://shakeshack.sharefile.com/share/view/s37b0e199606e4935a81241c4313293e7
About Shake Shack:
Shake Shack’s mission is to Stand for Something Good,® from its commitment to delivering the ultimate guest experience and sourcing of premium ingredients to supporting and investing in the people and communities around the world. Shake Shack is a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and flat-top Vienna Beef dogs (no hormones or antibiotics – ever), spun-fresh frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, craft beer wine and so much more. With its fresh, simple, high-quality food at a great value, Shake Shack is a fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to more than 310 locations in 30 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, including more than 100 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Philippines, Mexico, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul and more. For more information, please visit shakeshack.com.
About Southern Smoke:
Chris Shepherd launched Southern Smoke in 2015 after learning his friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since then, Southern Smoke has donated $763,000 to the MS Society, making it the largest third-party fundraiser in a five-state area. In 2017, Southern Smoke shifted its focus to provide assistance to people in the food and beverage industry affected by Hurricane Harvey and distributed $501,000 to 139 people in need. Recognizing a need, the Southern Smoke Foundation created an Emergency Relief Fund for people in the food and beverage industry in crisis. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund has distributed $4,690,518 to 2,328 people nationwide. To date, Southern Smoke has distributed more than $6.3 million—both directly to people in need via the Emergency Relief Fund and to organizations that represent the needs of people in our industry. As Chris says, Southern Smoke was created to “take care of our own.” To donate or to apply, visit southernsmoke.org.
