Haute Event: Meals on Wheel’s Celebrity Chef Ball

Meals on Wheels, you found a way to make an even hauter version of Chicago Gourmet for a great cause. With all the city’s favorite chefs participating and doing what they do best-charismatically cooking for people who love food as much as they do, just add a sexy location- department store after hours, charity, casino games, cover band, young, professional crowd, no lines and voila, instant recipe for success.

Hosted by Stephanie Izard (Girl and the Goat), Jimmy Bannos Jr. (the Purple Pig) and Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse), amongst 80 of their fellow cohorts, the Nourish gala took over the entire ninth floor of the historic Macy’s on State (aka every female’s fantasy after dark), an incredible achievement for a function that once began in a Chicago food court 22 years ago.

The two-part event began with the The Chef’s Table, an intimate and interactive VIP dinner party prepared by renowned chefs such as Koren Grieveson (Avec), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Paul Virant (Vie), Bill Telepan (Telepan- NYC) and Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza-LA). Afterward, the reception Chef’s Tasting Party allowed guests to sample tastings from restaurants around the city and intermingle with some of Chicago’s shining stars like Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Nicole Pederson (C-House), Frank Brunacci (Sixteen), Chris Macchia (Coco Pazzo), Valerie Bolon and Radhika Desai (Top Chef), plus many other heavy hitters.

Standout tastings included:

-Truffle Ravioli from Bice
-Spicy Shrimp Tacos from Mercadito

-Veal and Smoked Pork Belly Polenta from Socca
-Pesto Oysters from the Southern

-Bite-size delicacies from Urban Burger Bar

-A Delightful Halloween-looking Hendrick’s Gin Potion

Proceeds from the event will provide over 70,000 meals for elderly and disabled residents  in need of food assistance throughout Chicagoland. Bon Appetite!