In the crimson glow of Sedona’s red rocks, a new chapter of humanitarian efforts begin with the official launch of The Lisa Dahl Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Among the Southwest’s most decorated chefs, restaurateur Lisa Dahl sets forth a high-impact initiative to restore food insecurities throughout Native American communities in her home state of Arizona. For 30 years, Dahl has shaped Sedona’s dining scene into a global destination with her six restaurants all residing on sacred land from Native American tribes of the Hopi, Navajo, Tonto Apaches, and Yavapai people. The Lisa Dahl Foundation is a call to action to give back and help alleviate the profound needs facing Arizona Natives who have long suffered economic and nutritional inequities.
The Lisa Dahl Foundation is rooted in love, service, and the resilience of a mother whose grief has grown into a movement. After the devastating loss of her son Justin, who was murdered in the 1990s while helping someone in need, Lisa found healing through cooking and opened her first restaurant, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano (circa. 1995), as a tribute to their shared love of cooking. Her devotion to nourishing people in need and those who came before us inherently traces the soul of Lisa’s three decades of work.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here
VOTE: AZ Big Travel Awards
Now, through The Lisa Dahl Foundation, she turns decades of giving into a philanthropic mission to feed and uplift Arizona’s most at-risk communities. The Foundation debuts across a three-day “Film & Feast” Benefit and Gala Weekend in Sedona, AZ from December 12-14, 2025, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of Dahl & Di Luca. Turn passion into action at the Forgotten Peoples Tribute Luncheon (Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Dec. 12), Celebrazione Festa (Dahl & DiLuca, Dec. 13), and Artisanal Pizza & Wine Brunch with Lisa Dahl (Pisa Lisa, Dec. 14). Screenings of the award-winning documentary short film, Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace (VIEW TRAILER), will accompany the December 12 & 13 dining events.
Soup Hope and Justin’s Garden: Nourishing Those Who Need It Most
The cornerstone of The Lisa Dahl Foundation is Soup Hope, the Universal Soup of Love, which delivers nearly a days-worth of nutrition in every cup. Developed by Chef Lisa Dahl and served at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Soup Hope is a plant-based, gluten-free, Minestra that blends 27 organic heirloom beans and legumes with vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, and restorative spices. The result is a flavor-rich soup designed to provide immediate sustenance and comfort to those who need it most.
The Foundation’s first mission with Soup Hope will serve impoverished Native American communities across Arizona, where food deserts, limited access to fresh ingredients, and systemic inequities have left thousands vulnerable. Each serving delivers warmth, dignity, and the reassurance that no one facing hardship is forgotten. Soup Hope offers a lifeline to Native American communities and reminds us that nutritious food is a fundamental right.
Soup Hope initially rolls out to Native American lands as a wholesale product ready to be shipped for immediate impact. Lisa and her team are hard at work developing a shelf-stable retail jarred Soup Hope that delivers the highest standards of consistency, nutrition, and care. Soup Hope not only feeds hunger but also fuels a sustainable model in which retail sales will directly support and expand the Foundation’s humanitarian outreach.
Complementing Soup Hope is Justin’s Garden & Kitchen, a regenerative culinary program offering garden-to-table food production, culinary skills training, and pathways to employment for vulnerable populations, including Native communities, justice-impacted individuals, and people rebuilding their lives after addiction.
“Film & Feast” Benefit and Gala Weekend
Across three immersive events, attendees will experience a special screening of the award-winning documentary short Lisa Dahl: Blessed by Grace, directed by James Beard Award winner Eric Wolfinger. Each gathering features elevated culinary experiences, auctions supporting the Foundation and Soup Hope, and heartfelt remarks from Lisa and key members of the Foundation team. From a powerful Native American tribute luncheon and an intimate 30th-anniversary Italian celebration to a joyful pizza-and-wine brunch, the weekend honors the Dahl Restaurant Group’s past, celebrates its vibrant present, and fuels the Foundation’s mission for the future.
“Tribute to the Forgotten People” — Mariposa Film & Feast Luncheon (Fri., Dec. 12)
The weekend begins on the sacred grounds of Mariposa with a moving tribute to the Native American communities who walked this land long before us. Attendees kick off the day with a screening of Lisa Dahl: Blessed By Grace at the Marie D. Fisher Theatre, followed by a commemoration of Native American culture featuring expert musicians and heritage storytelling. A decadent lunch, choreographed with the precision of a theatrical performance, unfolds into an afternoon of inspired cuisine and heartfelt presentations. This spirited luncheon marks the beginning of three days of festivities that will linger long after the final bite.
“A Night of Divine Romance” — 30th Anniversary Dinner at Dahl & Di Luca (Sat., Dec. 13)
On Saturday evening, gather at Dahl & Di Luca — the place where it all began — for a night honoring 30 years of love, legacy, and Italian soul. Chef Lisa presents her most exquisite creations in an intimate six-course wine dinner crafted alongside beloved Wine Director David Dimler, whose 26 years of excellence and 48 Wine Spectator Awards elevate the experience to unmatched heights. The elegant affair features a silent auction to benefit the Foundation and invites guests to dress in their finest Italian style as they step into the magic of the “Shrine to the Divine.”
“Artisanal Pizza & Wine Brunch with Lisa Dahl” at Pisa Lisa (Sun., Dec. 14)
A joyful, hands-on celebration at Pisa Lisa sets the stage for a day where laughter rises as effortlessly as the dough. Guests will don complimentary “When you cook with love, you feed the soul” aprons to craft pizzas together, sip Lisa’s new private-label Passionista de Sedona wine, and savor a vibrant Sunday brunch. This festive finale offers the chance to sample Soup Hope before guests depart with hearts full, spirits lifted, and memories made with love.
Compassion is the most powerful ingredient we possess, and real, tangible giving — changes lives.
For more information on Lisa Dahl and her Foundation, please visit: lisadahlfoundation.org and cheflisadahl.com.
