Just Like That, Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico
Hurricane relief is on menu Wednesday for our tireless humanitarian chefs
On Short Turnaround, Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico
Raising money for people in dire need has taken on an Olympian flavor for the team behind the Chicago Chefs Cook events.
Their next event, Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico, takes place on Wednesday (September 28) and all proceeds will go to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, which has mobilized to provide hot meals to those affected by the devastating hurricane that hit Puerto Rico this week.
And it comes exactly one week after their successful tasting event that raised more than $110,000 to support critical health care for people displaced by war in the Ethiopian province of Tigray. (Photos from that event are below.)
This Wednesday’s event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture at 3015 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. This is the same venue where the Tigray event was held.
The press release from Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico follows. Click the button to buy tickets, priced at $150 each.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – On the heels of Chicago Chefs Cook for Tigray, Chicago’s hospitality community is mobilizing to organize Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico and raise funds for World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.
After raising over $110,000 for Health Professionals Network for Tigray (HPN4Tigray) this week, participants quickly turned their focus to Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Fiona has left more than 1 million people without power and running water.
The benefit will take place Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC) and is organized by chef Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), chef Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe), Eda Davidman, Darren Gest, Jodi Fyfe (The Paramount Group), Yvonne Cádiz-Kim, Kristi Katz (WCK), and Billy Ocasio (NMPRAC).
Ticket holders will enjoy music, cocktails and diverse cuisine from chef Bill Kim, chef Devon Quinn, chef Tigist Reda, chef Paul Virant, and more. Chef Monti Carlo, known for her work as a special events chef, senior food editor for Budget Bytes and author of the forthcoming cookbook, Spanglish, will be in attendance as special guest chef.
Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico will proudly be hosted at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, the only self-standing museum in the nation showcasing Puerto Rican arts and cultural exhibitions year-round. The mission of NMPRAC is dedicated to “the promotion, integration and advancement of Puerto Rican arts and culture, presenting exhibitions and programming created to enhance the visibility and importance of the rich Puerto Rican arts tradition.”
Use of the iconic landmark building from the 1800s has been graciously donated by Billy Ocasio, CEO of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, who shared his concern for the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. “Working together with Chicago Chefs Cook and World Central Kitchen, Chicagoans have the power to magnify our impact and save lives in Puerto Rico,” said Billy. “Food brings people together, and with Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico, some of the top chefs in Chicago are coming together to help feed our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters while they recover from the devastation of another hurricane.”
Proceeds from Chicago Chefs Cook for Puerto Rico will fund disaster relief projects headed by World Central Kitchen, founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés. WCK works to be the “first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises”, and is currently aiding those affected and displaced by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, and Nova Scotia.
CHEF LINEUP (MORE TO COME)
Art Smith, Reunion… Bill Kim, Urban Belly… Casey Doody, GT Prime/GT Fish & Oyster… Dan Raskin, Manny’s Deli… Devon Quinn, Eden… Erick Williams, Virtue/Daisy’s Po’Boy and Tavern… Heather Bublick & D'Andre Carter, Soul & Smoke…Nikolao s Kapernaros & Louie Alexakis: Avli on The Park… Paul Virant, Vistro Prime…
Sarah Stegner & George Bumbaris, Prairie Grass Cafe… Tigist Reda, Demera…
Tony Priolo, Piccolo Sogno
More Photos from the Tigray Fundraiser
To read my recap of the event and see more photos, please check out Friday’s Local Food Forum.
Mini-vegetarian messob from Demera Ethiopian Restaurant. Tigist Reda, Demera’s chef/owner, is a native of Tigray, and she rallied the Chicago Chefs Cook group to take on this fundraiser.
Chef Joe Flamm of Rose Mary restaurant, and the prosciutto and melon he served.
Chef Darnell Reed of Louella’s Southern Kitchen and his BBQ brisket mac and cheese.
Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread, a James Beard Foundation Award winner as the nation’s best baker, with the loaf he uses to make his appropriately named Big Sandwich.
Chef D’Andre Carter of Soul and Smoke with his signature mac & cheese with smoked bbq pulled pork.