Oct. 21, 2025

This event listing is sponsored by Face it TOGETHER.

Two chefs who have known each other for almost a decade will compete to benefit a cause important to both.

The annual Face It in the Fire competition will be Nov. 6 at The District when chef Ryan Tracy, owner of Dakota Craft Links, returns to defend his title against chef Omar Thornton with Keystone Treatment Center and Cooks & Bakers Kitchen.

Thornton is last year’s People’s Choice award winner.

“The two battle chefs have known each other nearly 10 years and bring a camaraderie and playful banter that’s already adding a fun energy to the event,” director of communications Ally Krupinsky said.

“We’re excited to see how their battle plays out.”

In addition to the live, secret-ingredient battle, Face It in the Fire will feature 12 local floor chefs who will share tasting portions. In addition to People’s Choice, attendees will get the chance to vote on best decor.

Event funds raised will benefit Face It TOGETHER, an addiction wellness nonprofit that provides care, often at no cost. Almost 20 percent of the individuals Face It TOGETHER serves work in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

For Thornton and Tracy, behind the battle is a shared understanding of addiction’s prevalence in the service industry.

Thornton’s first culinary job after being arrested because of his addiction in 2016 was working for Tracy. He was still wearing an ankle monitor.

“When I started cooking again, my hands were twitchy. I realized I always had a drink in my hand when I cooked,” Thornton said. “I started brewing my own iced tea; holding that calmed me down as I was cooking and phased me out of that twitch.”

Tracy has seen how high stress and late nights can take a toll on chefs and kitchen staff.

“I’ve definitely seen my fair share of DUIs, my fair share of rehabs, people losing their jobs, stopping showing up altogether,” he said. “It’s a high-stress job. There was a period of time where that part of cooking became glorified. Not so much anymore, but it still happens.”

As someone who sought coaching from Face It TOGETHER, Thornton encourages others to reach out if they need help.

“I’ve been in recovery for over nine years now. Still get stressed out, still have my issues, but what I don’t have is the urge to drink or use,” he said.

“Face It TOGETHER really helped me get started into my recovery. And it started day one. Find what works for you. We are not promised tomorrow, but if you are blessed to awake the next day, that means you have another day to change and start over.”

Funds raised during Face It in the Fire will provide no-cost addiction care throughout South Dakota.

“We work very hard to make sure no one is turned away from coaching due to finances,” Krupinsky said.

“Our social good program, which covers the costs of coaching for those who can’t afford it, has been over capacity every week this year. Face It in the Fire sponsorships and ticket sales will help us heal families impacted by addiction at no cost to them.”

Last year’s inaugural event drew a lot of positive feedback.

“The team did an absolutely fantastic job,” Tracy said. “This is coming from someone who has competed at many of these type of events at the local, state and even national level.”

Reserve your seat at Face it in the Fire here.