One Word for Ukraine Fundraiser: Slava!
Chef-driven humanitarian event drew 2,000, raised more than $500,000
One Word for Chefs’ Ukraine Fundraiser: Slava!
The Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine fundraiser, presented last night at Navy Pier, would have been a remarkable experience if it had been the result of months of planning.
More than 2,000 attendees. Six dozen of the city’s top chefs and best restaurants, with plenty of beverages to wash down that delicious food. And, most importantly, more than $500,000 raised for World Central Kitchen, the amazing nonprofit created by Chef José Andrés, which has already served more than 1 million meals to people displaced by the atrocious war inflicted on the people of Ukraine.
The fact that this all came together in two weeks is pretty much a miracle.
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Tony Priolo (at the mic in the photo above), chef/owner of Piccolo Sogno, decided he couldn’t just watch the horrifying reports on the news: He had to do something. He recruited Chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe (2nd right) to develop a tasting event fundraiser; they were soon joined by Green City Market, represented in the photo by current Board member Darren Gest (right) and former Board member Eda Davidman (left).
Practically overnight, they hooked up with Lifeway Kefir (owned by Ukrainian refugees from the Soviet Union) as the event’s presenter, while lining up numerous other sponsors.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, I have 10,000 worth below (with more to come). All I can say it’s that it was a magical event, I am deeply moved, and I will never forget it.
Slava Ukraini means Glory to Ukraine, and glorious it was.
Donate to World Central Kitchen
Please click the button below if you were unable to attend but would like to make a donation to World Central Kitchen to help in its life-saving work.
