Chef Jewan Manuel partners with Durant for an evening of wine, olive oil, and plant-based cuisine, with a portion of proceeds benefiting No Kid Hungry
August 10, 2026 (Dayton, OR) — Durant, home to the Durant Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room and Oregon’s only commercial olive mill, is partnering with Portland Chef Jewan Manuel, better known as Plant Based Papi, for an intimate charity dinner at Blockhouse PDX in Portland’s Slabtown neighborhood on Thursday, September 17th.
Bringing together Durant’s award-winning wines and estate-milled extra virgin olive oils with Chef Manuel’s inventive approach to plant-based cooking, the evening celebrates the best of the Pacific Northwest. Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu of elevated, and comforting plant-based dishes crafted specifically for the experience. In addition, 20% of the net ticket proceeds will benefit No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the United States.
The evening will begin with an experiential olive oil tasting on Blockhouse PDX’s hidden garden patio, accompanied by Durant estate-grown sparkling wine. Guests will then move into the restaurant’s glasshouse dining room, where they will watch Chef Manuel prepare and plate each course in the open-format kitchen while Durant wines are paired to complement every dish.
“We believe that great food has a way of bringing people together,” said Paul Durant, owner of Durant. “Collaborating with Chef Manuel is a wonderful opportunity to pair our wines and estate-milled olive oils with his creative approach to plant-based cuisine while celebrating the incredible flavors of the Pacific Northwest. We’re also proud to use this event as an opportunity to give back by supporting No Kid Hungry and its mission to end childhood hunger.”
“I’ve always loved creating dishes that surprise people and show just how flavorful and satisfying plant-based cooking can be,” said Chef Jewan Manuel, owner of Plant Based Papi. “This menu gave me the opportunity to showcase Durant’s wines and estate-milled olive oils in unexpected ways while staying true to the comforting, ingredient-driven dishes I love to make. I’m excited to share the meal with guests and support such an important cause.”
Limited to just 100 guests, the dinner offers an intimate, seasonal dining experience. The event begins at 6 p.m. with social hour and sparkling wine and the seated dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $225 per person and are available for purchase here.
About Durant
Founded in 1973 in scenic Dayton, Ore., Durant includes Durant Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room, charming accommodations at the two-bedroom Stonycrest Cottage, and Oregon’s only commercial olive mill, Durant Olive Mill. As pioneers in Oregon’s wine-making industry, the Durant family has become renowned for bright Pinot Gris, lively Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Brut, and food-friendly Pinot Noir. In 2008, Durant founded Durant Olive Mill, consisting of 17 acres of olive trees and a state-of-the-art Italian olive mill. Durant Olive Mill is the premier purveyor of Oregon milled extra virgin olive oil and home to the annual Olio Nuovo Festival. Year-round, visitors are invited to stroll the grounds to see the beautiful gardens, hedges and koi pond, peruse the artful garden pottery for sale and admire the fragrant plantings of rosemary, lavender and other herbs. For more information or to purchase Durant goods online, visit: https://durantoregon.com/.
