How many top-notch chefs can you fit in a 1992 Volkswagen convertible?
Don`t they have anything better to do?
Last week nine managed to cram themselves into a car at the Loeber Motors showroom, while five others hung around it. And all say that that such clowning is a publicity stunt worth doing to promote the 4th annual Holiday Meals-On-Wheels benefit.
Get it? The automobile represents the wheels.
Holiday Meals-On-Wheels, sponsored by the Chicago Fund on Aging and Disability, is a public- and business-supported program that supplies precooked meals and other services to elderly and disabled shut-ins on six major holidays when the city-supported delivery program does not.
With ”Hats Off to the Heartland” as a theme, the three culinary benefits will culminate in a $100-a-person celebrity chef brunch April 12 in the Atrium at the State of Illinois Building, where 800 diners will sample signature dishes from more than 30 well-known chefs from the Midwest.
There will be two other ”wheels” functions, one of which-a $150-a-plate dinner at the award-winning Charlie Trotter`s restaurant-already is sold out. Reservations still are being taken for a Feb. 10 opening party at Vinny`s restaurant, 2901 N. Sheffield Ave., the latest venture of entrepreneurs Joe and Charlie Carlucci. A dinner buffet with wine will be served for $25 a person.
Formerly, chefs from across the country have been invited to cook for the brunch, along with some from the Chicago area. This year outside chefs are coming from Milwaukee; Madison, Wis.; Kansas City, Mo.; Cincinnati; Des Moines; Minneapolis; and Peoria.
”The great success of the fall Midwest market (put on at Navy Pier in July by the American Institute of Wine and Food) showed us that people have a lot of confidence in the food of the Midwest, so why look outside?” says Meme Hopmayer, a cochair of the benefits.
”We decided to rely on our own resources this year, and the chefs are excited because it promotes Midwest foods,” says Hopmayer.
Almost all of the services, material and labor will be donated by participants and corporate sponsors of the events, which are expected to raise more than $200,000.
The chefs for the brunch and their restaurants are (+ indicates that the chef is participating for the first time):
Paul Bartolotta+, Spaggia; Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill; Sanford D`Amato, Sanford, Milwaukee; David DiGregorio, the 95th; Emilio Gervilla, Emilio`s Tapas Bar; Mark Haugen+, Tejas, Minneapolis; Jean-Pierre Henry+, Hotel Nikko; John Hogan+, Kiki`s Bistro; David Jarvis, Melange; Jean Joho, Everest; Dennis Kaniger+, Venue, Kansas City, Mo.; David Koelling, the Greenery; Gunther Kron+, American Airlines; Stephen Langlois, Prairie; Matthew Lasof+, Blackhawk Lodge; Michael LaValle+, Winston`s Pub, Des Moines; Mary Beth and Roland Liccioni, Le Francais; Johann Lustenberger and Joseph Agustin, the Westin Hotel; Tony Mantuano, Tuttaposto; Luigi Negroni+, Carlucci; Stewart Parson, Gypsy; John Pawula+, Stephanie, Peoria; Odessa Piper and Eric Rupert, L`Etoile, Madison; Alain Roby+, Hyatt Regency Chicago; Andrew Marc
Rothschild+, Gordon; Jennifer Smith, Corner Bakery; Gabino Sotelino, Ambria;
Paul Sturkey, Pigalle`s, Cincinnati; Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter`s;
Pascal Vignau+, the Ritz-Carlton; and Don Yamauchi+, Carlos.
To make reservations for the Vinny`s opening or for the April brunch call Roberta Michaletz at the Chicago Fund on Aging and Disability, 312-248-6228.
