Everything from models (for the fashion-oriented auction) to meatballs were present July 24 at the fifth annual Chefs and the City, Vital Bridges’ dining extravaganza that took place at the Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior. Carrie and Michael Nahabedian (Naha), Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat representing Allen Brothers), Shawn McClain (Spring/Green Zebra), Ryan Pitts (RL Restaurant), Gene Kato (Japonais) and Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun’s Thai Restaurant) were among the 20-plus chefs offering treats to hundreds of attendees. Debbie Hinde, president/CEO of the HIV/AIDS-service organization Vital Bridges, told Windy City Times that “fundraising is much more difficult now than it was one or two years ago, so we have to constrain what we’re doing. We were cognizant of the fact that it might be hard to get people to pay $250 a ticket … but we were able to bring in the people. It’s actually better than last year.” Among the highlights was the presentation of the Robert S. Mayo Extra Helping Award (named after a Vital Bridges board member and key leader who passed away Jan. 8) to Season of Concern; Stephen Rader accepted on the latter organization’s behalf. Text by Andrew Davis; photos by Davis and Jerry Nunn.
Vital Bridges Chefs and the City photos
