Two Winnipeg chefs have teamed up to shine a spotlight on mental health issues within the culinary industry.

"A couple of the chefs around the city are going to get together, have some fun, and talk about mental health and make some tasty food," said Adam Donnelly, chef and owner of Segovia.

Donnelly and fellow chef Mandel Hitzer, owner of Deer + Almond, will be putting together a dinner to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), as a response to the suicide of American chef and author Anthony Bourdain, 61, earlier this month.

"We're super excited to be partnering with the [CMHA]," said Donnelly. "It's such a great cause, everybody's on board, and we've had so much support."

The already sold-out fundraiser, which will advocate for greater awareness of mental health, particularly within the culinary world, will feature a six-course tasting menu themed around dishes loved by the late Anthony Bourdain.

"I feel it's kind of surreal... His death really rocked the both of us," Donnelly shared. "As two people that are in this industry and have dealt with these problems of mental health at one time or another, we thought it was really important to bring it to the light."

"He revolutionized a feeling, I think... for our industry," said Hitzer. "He brought a global community together through his words."

Hitzer, who has himself struggled with mental health issues in the past, says the death of Bourdain acted as "a big wake-up call" for the culinary industry.

"Especially him taking his [own] life, it's just so sad, and we want to make sure that, in our community, we don't lose any more people, that they know there's a support system and that they can reach out for help."

Marion Cooper, Executive Director of CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg, says that the issue of mental wellness is something that is becoming a far more commonly spoken-of issue and hopes to see the trend continue.

"We're really thrilled to see them using this opportunity to raise awareness about mental illness and mental health... it's turning something tragic into an opportunity to really raise some awareness around this very important issue."

In Canada, Cooper says, one in five Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in their lifetime.

"When we're looking at the statistics here in Manitoba, we're looking at, in any given year, almost one in three," Cooper shared. "This this is not something that is not prevalent. People are struggling with mental illness and mental health problems."

With this increasing relevance of mental health understanding, Cooper says everybody needs to consider their own mental health.

"All of us, all Manitobans, need to be thinking about how to promote and protect their mental health."

Cooper also stressed the creating of a community that supports the promotion of mental wellbeing for all. "Whether it's workplaces or schools or neighbourhoods or even in our families, how are we creating the conditions that help us all to be healthy and to thrive."

The fundraising dinner will take place at The Forks on Tuesday, July 3 at 6:30 p.m.