As West Suburban Community Pantry celebrates 30 years of feeding the community, their popular annual fundraiser the Chefs Culinary Challenge returns for a 10th time. The dinner will feature six notable chefs from across DuPage County on Sunday, February 20th at the Chicago Marriott Naperville. The event has been reimagined to conform to rigorous health mitigation standards and will feature each chef preparing one course of a six-course meal to be enjoyed family-style at distanced tables in the ballroom set at 50% capacity. Chefs will work from a center-stage observation kitchen so guests can see each course finished and plated live. The evening also features cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner wines, silent auction with no-contact electronic bidding and checkout and mission moment.
“We ensure that 100% of the proceeds from the event provides food and supportive services to our neighbors throughout DuPage County, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville. We currently serve over 5,600 adults, children, and senior citizens each month, and the cost and accessibility of food continues to be a challenge,” says Director of Development Lisa Spaeth. “That’s why this event is so important to our cause. However, our first concern is to provide an evening that is safe and comfortable for all.”
The event has limited capacity. The cocktail hour is designed for social distancing. Guests are asked to wear a mask when leaving their table to visit the auction or bar. No-contact electronic guest check-in will be utilized. A Virtual option is being offered for guests wishing to view the event from home.
In addition to passed hors d’oeuvres, guests will be treated to a selection of appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert courses prepared by Chef Zac Rogers of Elements on Water Street, Chef Terrell Cole of Dark Horse Catering, Chef John Brandou of SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen, Chef Raul Armenta of Belgio’s Catering, Chef Maya Nahouli of the Foxtail and Chef Hector Delarosa of the Chicago Marriot Naperville. Guests will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite course with honors bestowed on the winning chef.
“My mom always made sure that no matter what our financial situation was, we always had food on the table,” says Chef Terrell Cole. “It’s that feeling of welcome, it’s how you show love. This is my way of doing what I can to give back to the community that’s given so much to me.”
Early bird priced individual tickets and tables for ten are available until January 31. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, February 16. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit Wscpantry.org/chefs-culinary-challenge/
Major sponsors for the 10th Annual Chefs Culinary Challenge i Platinum Sponsor: Ann and Victor Pokorny Memorial Fund are Hunger Hero: Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation.