Chicago Chefs Cook's Latest Event: Gourmet Generosity Writ Large

More Than 30 Leading Chefs Raised Money for the Organization and Many Charities

Local Food Forum predicted that Chicago Chefs Cook (CCC) would outdo itself with its March 20 culinary fundraiser, the "I Cook For" Benefit held at Chicago's Four Seasons Hotel.

It wasn't just that the chef lineup and the food bites served at the event were awesome: That's a given for a philanthropic organization created and supported by celebrated culinary artists since 2022.

This was a Chicago Chefs Cook event with a twist.

Most of CCC fundraisers have benefited one or two organizations, and were quickly produced in the wake of humanitarian disasters around the nation and the world. The March 20 event, though, is divvying up proceeds among charities selected by each of the participating chefs.

Here is a list of the talented, creative and generous chefs and restaurants that dug deep for this event:

• Aaron Cuschieri, The Dearborn

• Arshiya Farheen, Verzênay Chicago

• Art Smith & Hector Guerrero, Chef Art Smith's Reunion

• Carrie Nahabedian, Brindille

• César Murillo, North Pond

• Danny Shapiro, Joiners Podcast/Scofflaw Group

• Daniel De Oliveria, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

• Darnell Reed, Luella's Southern Kitchen

• Devon Quinn, Eden

• Donald Young, Duck Sel

• Dori Isufi, Molly's Cupcakes

• Franco Diaz, Adorn Bar & Restaurant

• Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread

• Heather Bublick & D'Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke

• Kevin Hickey, The Duck Inn

• Mary Eder-McClure, Galit, Cafe Yaya

• Nikolaos Kapernaros, Pierless Hospitality

• Pat Sang, Oki Sushi by Mariano's

• Paul Virant & Angelyne Canicosa, Vistro Prime

• Rick Bayless &Javauneeka Jacobs, Frontera Grill

• Rishi Kumar & Zubair Mohajir, MIRRA

• Sahil Sethi, Sifr

• Sandra Holl, Floriole

• Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Cafe

• Stephanie Hart, Brown Sugar Bakery

• Stephen Gillanders, S.K. Y., Apolonia, Valhalla

• Sujan Sarkar, Swadesi

• Tigist Reda, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

Please enjoy these photos, which just scratch the surface of how great this experience was. Local Food Forum will continue to keep you posted on upcoming CCC events.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHICAGO CHEFS COOK

Chef Mary Eder-McClure of Galit and Cafe Yaya served up ground beef-stuffed grape leaves at the March 20 Chicago Chefs Cook event. Photo by Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

Chef Sarah Stegner of suburban Chicago's Prairie Grass Cafe — a Chicago Chefs Cook co-founder and two-time James Beard Award winner — was interviewed during the event by a local TV station, then shared a hug with Ina Pinkney, the legendary "Breakfast Queen of Chicago." Photo by Bob Benenson

Greg Wade (left), a James Beard Award winner for Best Baker and head baker/partner at Chicago's Publican Quality Bread, served up Smoked Pork and Tomato Sliders — elevated street food. Photo by Bob Benenson

Group shot of the culinary rock stars who participated in the Chicago Chefs Cook event. Photo by Bob Benenson

Darren Gest, a Chicago Chefs Cook co-founder, welcomed attendees as James Beard Award winners Belinda Chang and Chef Sarah Stegner look on. Photo by Bob Benenson

Sommelier Belinda Chang hosted a VIP reception featuring selections from women winemakers, Photo by Bob Benenson

Chef Nikolaos Kapernaros of Pierless Hospitality. Photo by Bob Benenson

Check out the ingredients in this cocktail. It was as good as it sounds (and looks). Photo by Bob Benenson

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Help Local Food Forum Grow While We Help This Great Farmer Education Non-Profit

Local Food Forum does philanthropy too.

We're marking its 4th anniversary (officially April 1) by asking you to become a paid subscriber and help make this unique, mission-driven publication more self-sustaining. It is the honor of a lifetime to be of service to the community of people working to build a better food system.

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