Liz Biro's Foodie Action: A Milktooth rally against RFRA

It used to be that chefs stayed in the kitchen and cooked. Today, they're celebrities, which gives them influence over more than what happens on the stove. People care about what chefs think, and not just what they think about food.

That celebrity in Indianapolis falls lately on Jonathan Brooks. The chef and his wife, Ashley, own popular Milktooth. The Fletcher Place brunch spot's creative comfort food and modern diner atmosphere has netted Brooks national attention. He is among Food & Wine magazine's picks for the 10 best new chefs in America. Brooks will be in Bon Appetit magazine soon, and he's cooking at the James Beard House in August.

Recently, Brooks and I discussed how chefs are poised to use their celebrity for more than promoting food, themselves and their restaurants. The conversation stemmed from the Big Gay Day event scheduled 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 18 at Milktooth. Expect tastings by Indy's top chefs. Live music and a drag show are planned. During Big Gay Day, you may register to vote, and all proceeds benefit the ACLU of Indiana and Indiana Youth Group. Tickets cost $25 online via www.ticketfly.com or $30 at the door, cash only.

Brooks and his wife announced Big Gay Day, originally billed Big Gay Dinner, during Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act debate. The act, which Gov. Mike Pence signed into law March 26, prevents state and local governments from "substantially burdening" a person's exercise of religion." Opponents feared business owners could use the measure to discriminate against gays and lesbians. As a result, the legislature altered the law to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation. Many people still feel the law should have never taken effect.

The Brookses bill Big Gay Day as a gathering to "stand together against RFRA. This is a celebration and a way to show everyone that the Indianapolis food service industry serves everyone and the RFRA legislation does not represent us!"

"I've definitely been given that forum to speak out and a lot of people are going to listen," Brooks said.

But his decision to stage Big Gay Day is mostly personal, Brooks emphasized. His older sister is gay.

After gay marriage was legalized in Indiana last year, she and her wife renewed their vows at Milktooth. At the reception, Brooks served the same bagel pizzas he always begged his sister to make for him when he was a kid and she was his babysitter. The reception snacks were a gesture by Brooks to say thank you for putting up with a fussy little brother's demands all those years ago.

Big Gay Day, Brooks said, is a way he can fight discrimination against his sister and sister-in-law.

"That's my responsibility as a brother not as a chef."

Milktooth

534 Virginia Ave.

(317) 986-5131

www.milktoothindy.com

Call Liz Biro at (317) 444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @lizbiro, Instagram @lizbirodish and Facebook.