David “Johnny B” Rutter and Jonny Roscher, partners in Pete ‘n Peters and Za’s, believe in philanthropy. They feel a community is strongest when businesses and nonprofits team up to solve key community issues.

In May, Pete ‘n Peters and Za’s hosted the 2nd Annual Cardiac Cook-Off, a fried chicken battle between Chef Jonny Roscher and Chef Benji Head of West Shore Café, to benefit Meals on Wheels. One hundred participants voted Chef Roscher this year’s Cardiac King — winning with buttermilk soaked southern friend chicken.

“A huge thank you to Johnny B, Jonny and Benji for funds donated,” said Sarah Hall Deardorff, executive director of Sierra Senior Services. “The donation will provide a month of food for Meals on Wheels program in Kings Beach and Tahoe City. This past fiscal year Sierra Senior Services provided 32,675 meals to seniors in the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities.”

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On June 28 Pete ’n Peters hosted a Fireworks Street Dance in conjunction with the Tahoe City Downtown Association. Bad Moves Smooth played to a crowd of more 300. TCDA echoed comments of Deardoroff,

“The TCDA is incredibly grateful to both Pete ‘n Peters and Za’s for teaming up to produce an extremely successful Fireworks Street Dance,” said Stacie Lyans, executive director of the Tahoe City Downtown Association. “In our first year of this event, the TCDA raised approximately $2,000, with all proceeds used to support the Tahoe City July 4 celebration and fireworks. Without the vision and support of Johnny B. and Jonny R, this event would not have been a success.”

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The second week of July, Za’s hosted the last leg of the Tour De Fork, a progressive farm-to-fork dinner through Tahoe City, conceptualized and organized by Christine Dale of Wolfdale’s. The tour began at Jake’s on the Lake for appetizers, moved to Wolfdale’s for dinner then onward to Za’s for dessert. The tour benefited Tahoe Youth Ballet, Meals on Wheels and Tahoe Food Hub.

Douglas Dale, owner and chef of Wolfdale’s noted, “This event showcased Tahoe City in an innovate way while raising money. We need to do more of these events.”

“Unlike local businesses, local nonprofits do not directly benefit from the influx of tourism dollars, it’s critical that we as the business community support them year round,” said Rutter.

Pete ‘n Peters and Za’s are located at 395 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City, visit http://www.petenpeters.com and http://www.zastahoe.com.