Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

World-Renowned Chefs donate their food, time, and expertise in an effort to fight childhood cancer

PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 2010)— Chefs from across the nation will converge in Philadelphia to cook for childhood cancer cures on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 during the Fifth Annual Great Chefs Event to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. The event, hosted under the tutelage of Marc Vetri, Jeff Benjamin, Jeff Michaud and their Vetri Foundation for Children (VFFC), will move location in 2010 to accommodate the growing number of guests. Housed at Osteria restaurant for the past three years, the event will move to the waterfront this year. Through the generous donation of Urban Outfitters, Inc. the event will move to their facility in the Navy Yard, Building 543, 5000 South Broad Street.   

The Great Chefs Event has grown over the years from a small tasting at the Restaurant School in Philadelphia to a nationally recognized fundraiser, complete with world-renowned chefs traveling from all corners of the country to cook for over 1,000 attendees. Those in attendance are treated to a unique culinary experience as their mingling is intertwined with delicious food prepared in front of their eyes. In addition to the sampling feast, many exclusive items are up for grabs through the evening’s exciting silent and live auctions. Last year’s items included the funding of a childhood cancer research grant and both restaurant and in-home private dinners prepared by the famous chefs.

“We are continually amazed by the generosity and dedication of everyone involved with the Great Chefs Event, from the staff who puts the event together, to the hard work of the Vetri Foundation, and of course the world class chefs who donate their time, food and energy to the cause,” says Liz Scott, Alex’s mom. “This has become one of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s biggest and most enjoyable events, and the move to a larger venue is only a testament to just how in demand this event has become.”

“The Vetri Foundation for Children is delighted to continue our relationship with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through the Great Chefs Event,” says Jeff Benjamin. “This event allows us to continue Alex's dream, taking important strides toward the cures for childhood cancer that we are so desperately searching for, one plate at a time."

Known as an event featuring small plates for big appetites, The Fifth Annual Great Chefs Event will once again feature Tom Colicchio, renowned chef and head judge on Bravo’s Top Chef; as well as several other famous faces including the Food Network’s Michael Symon and Jose Garces. Several of the other participating chefs are James Beard Award winners and nominees, including host chefs Marc Vetri and Jeff Michaud, Daniel Stern of R2L and MidAtlantic Restaurants; Brad Spence of Vetri; Clark Fraiser & Mark Gaier of Arrows/MC Perkins/Cove/SummerWinter in Maine; and Paul Kahan of Blackbird/Avec/Publican/Honky Tonk Tacos in Chicago, among others. Additionally, this year will see several beverage participants join the mix including Tom Kehoe of Yards Brewing; Carol Stoudt of Stoudt’s Brewing Company; and Joe Bastianich, winemaker and restaurateur.
(A complete list of confirmed 2010 participants is included below)

For information on how to become a sponsor, contact Brittany Brazill at The Vetri Foundation for Children, 215-732-3478.

To purchase tickets, visit www.vetrifoundation.org/events/great-chefs-event-2010.