Common Threads holds first-ever cook-off

Common Threads held its first-ever Cook-Off Sept. 15 at Fulton’s on the River, raising $28,000 to support the organization’s initiatives that provide health- and nutrition-education programs to low-income youth and their families.

Participating chefs created and served their favorite cookout-themed dishes in one of four categories: in a glass, on a bun, in a shell, or on a stick. Guests sampled each dish and voted for their favorite in each category. The winning chefs of the night included:

—In a Glass: Chao Thapthimkuna—Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

—In a Shell: David Blonsky—Public House and Mike Bellovich—Hub 51 —On a Bun: Sarah Grueneberg—Spiaggia

—On a Stick: Scott Halverson—prasino

Executive Director Linda Novick O’Keefe said, “The proceeds from this event are enough to support a full year of programming in Chicago for one of our sites which means we will be able to provide 640 healthy ethnic meals to low-income youth throughout the city.”

Major event sponsors included: BMO, Brewery Ommegang, Chicago magazine, Harris Bank, Nestlé Waters, Pernod Ricard and United Healthcare.

Out chef Art Smith and husband Jesus Salgueiro co-founded Common Threads.

For more information about Common Threads, visit www.commonthreads.org.