KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Frontman To Co-Host Fundraiser Supporting Mental Health And Suicide Prevention

Chef Brian Tsao, known for his stint on Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay" and "Chopped", as well as his heavy metal persona on the web series "Taste Of Metal", is hosting "Small Bites Of Hope", a pop-up culinary event benefiting the non-profit organization Hope For The Day.

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness month in May, Tsao will team up KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach to host a unique event that raises awareness for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.

The event will offer exquisite catering from Tsao, signature cocktails from Black Craft, craft beer from Six Point Brewery, dessert from Snow Days, and much more!

Proceeds will benefit Hope For The Day, a non-profit organization that achieves proactive suicide prevention by providing outreach and mental health education through self-expression platforms.

The event takes place Thursday, May 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gibson Guitars Showroom, in the historic Hit Factory Studios on 251 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019.

Said Tsao: "For too long, mental health has been ignored in the professional kitchens. With Small Bites of Hope, I want to present people in these harsh working environments with the opportunity to get help or give help to others that may need it. It only takes one to start the conversation that can resonate and help many others and this is that first major step for myself along with my friends in Hope For The Day and Jesse Leach!"

Leach, a known advocate for mental health, said: "I'm honored to be a part of Small Bites Of Hope, to help raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention with my pal Chef Brian Tsao! It is a subject near and dear to me, so having a dialogue and helping shine some light on a topic that is not talked about enough is important."

Limited tickets are offered here.

In a 2014 interview, Leach opened up about the reasons why he originally left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2002 after recording two albums. Leach, who reunited with the group in 2012, explained: "When I left KILLSWITCH, there was definitely something wrong with my head. I was dealing with a depression. At that time it was a pretty lowdown feeling of being alienated, just sort of not being prepared mentally for a life on the road."

Leach's replacement in the group, Howard Jones, sang with them for nine years and three albums before leaving in 2012 with his own health issues.