Christopher Prieto, also known as the “barbecue nerd,” is the owner of Prime Barbecue, one of the restaurants participating in this year’s Plate It Forward campaign. Prime Barbecue, located at Knightdale Station Park, draws crowds well before its 11 am opening. His restaurant often sells out of its signature beef brisket and ribs.
Prieto spent over a decade honing his skills at invite-only competitions for BBQ Pitmasters. Prieto's home state of Texas recognized Prime Barbecue as one of the “Top Texas-Style BBQ Joints Outside the Lone Star State.”
For Chef Christopher Prieto, his reason for partnering with the Food Bank is simple.
– Chef Christopher Prieto Head Chef of Prime Barbecue and Primo Latin CuisineI think restaurants in general have a responsibility in the community.
His MICHELIN-award-winning restaurant is known for its whole-hog lechon, a Puerto Rican dish served at both Prime Barbecue and its sister restaurant, Primo Latin Cuisine. These dishes are a celebration of Prieto's Puerto Rican heritage.
– Chef Christopher Prieto Head Chef of Prime Barbecue and Primo Latin CuisineWe really wanted to showcase a very impactful dish in a restaurant to create a very impactful purpose in our community.
The whole-hog lechon is featured in several dishes, including the empanadas and pressed Cuban sandwiches. It is something Prieto said is very important to him and his family, much like the Plate it Forward campaign.
– Chef Christopher Prieto Head Chef of Prime Barbecue and Primo Latin CuisineThe food and beverage industry lives to feed people. To actually make an impact, we do have to come together as one and impact it.
Prieto said he sees community members experiencing hunger all around him. It’s why the mission to fight against it is so important to him.
– Chef Christopher Prieto Head Chef of Prime Barbecue and Primo Latin CuisineWe’re feeding the community; we’re taking care of people, and that means more than just our patrons. That means people who also can’t afford to eat here.
For every lechon dish sold during September, one dollar will go towards the Food Bank to support the Plate it Forward campaign.
Join the fight to end hunger by visiting Prime Barbecue throughout September. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until they sell out.
Visit Prime BarbecueLocally-owned restaurants, bakeries, and breweries are the lifeblood of our community — and we're excited to partner with these incredible small businesses throughout Hunger Action Month. At a time when more than 600,000 of our neighbors don't know where their next meal might come from, it's never been more important to #PlateItForward.
It's incredibly easy to make a difference:
Visit any participating restaurant or brewery
Order the #PlateItForward dish, beverage, or dessert
A portion of proceeds from each order directly benefits the Food Bank and our network of 700+ local partner pantries and meal sites
Share your #PlateItForward meal on social to help spread the word! (you can tag us @foodbankcenc)
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