Celebrity Chefs Cook for a Cause at the Ninth Annual Great Chefs Event To Benefit ALSF and The Vetri Foundation for Children

PHILADELPHIA, PA.– On Tuesday, June 10, more than 40 of the world’s greatest chefs will convene in Philadelphia for the ninth annual Great Chefs Event, hosted by James Beard award winner Marc Vetri, restaurateur Jeff Benjamin, and James Beard award winner Jeff Michaud. The event will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and The Vetri Foundation for Children. More than 1,200 guests will gather at Urban Outfitters World Headquarters on Philadelphia’s waterfront Navy Yard for the foodie charity event of the year, with an exclusive VIP after party at Alla Spina for sponsors and VIP ticketholders.

Marc Vetri has hand-selected the list of participating chefs, calling on his renowned chef friends from around the world, top talent from LA to NYC, Chicago to Italy. The chefs will donate their time, talent, and food, creating delicious samplings for guests in the walk-around tasting gala of the year. In addition to fine food, representatives from the best distilleries, wineries, craft breweries, will also be present, including Greg Lindgren from Rye in San Francisco, Tim Staehling of The Hungry Cat in Los Angeles and more (Please see a complete list of beverage participants below). Guests will enjoy an evening of music and mingling, as well as silent and live auction items, all in the name of charity. Auction items include one-of-kind experiences such as participating chefs preparing private dinners at home and a guided tour through Belgium with stops at museums, breweries, historic bars, shops, Michelin starred restaurants, led by award-winning beer expert Tom Peters (Monk’s Café).

Ten years ago, Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin met Liz and Jay Scott, who were carrying on the work that their amazing daughter Alex had started, to help find a cure for all kids with cancer. They were moved by Alex’s story, and by the perseverance with which Liz and Jay honored her vision. As many do, they walked away from that conversation asking, “What can we do to help?” Their answer was to host the first Great Chefs Event, which brought eight local chefs and 100 guests to The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, raising $50,000.00. “The event has grown beyond belief from 100 guests to more than 1,000; from $50,000 in donations to more than $1 million; eight chefs has turned into 40 and the event has even expanded beyond Philadelphia with chefs taking the concept to LA and New York,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and co-executive director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Vetri and Benjamin, meanwhile, inspired by the impact of their efforts, founded Vetri Foundation for Children in 2008 to give back in the area they know most about— healthy food and nutrition for Philadelphia’s youth. This year’s event benefits both organizations.

Participating chefs include veterans of the event and several noteworthy newcomers. Returning chefs include Tom Colicchio, renowned chef and head judge on Bravo’s Top Chef; as well as several other famous faces including the Food Network’s Iron Chefs Jose Garces and Michael Symon. Several of the other participating chefs are James Beard Award winners and nominees, including host chefs Marc Vetri and Jeff Michaud, Jon Shook (Animal, Son of a Gun),Michael Anthony (Gramercy Tavern), April Bloomfield (The Breslin Bar & Dining Room),Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina (Mozza), among others. Newcomers to the event include Philadelphia’s Kevin Sbraga, Timon Baloo of Miami, and Alon Shaya of New Orleans. (Please see complete list of 2014 Great Chefs Event participants below.)

“Each year, we brainstorm about how we can improve the event for two worthy causes. The Great Chefs Event has grown from a small-scale local charity event to an inspiring culinary gathering,” said Jeff Benjamin, co-founder of the Vetri Foundation for Children. “Marc Vetri calls on his personal ties to the culinary world and award winning chefs fly in from all over the globe. It’s amazing to be a part of an event of this size and to witness the dedication of the talented chefs, as well as the commitment of the volunteers and sponsors.”

This year, the after-party will be held at Alla Spina, a Vetri family restaurant. VIP ticketholders and sponsors of the event will have the exclusive opportunity to rub elbows with all of the talented chefs in an intimate setting. The late night after-party shuts down the block and promises live entertainment, music, food, drinks, celebrity guests and a convivial atmosphere. Guests can expect barbecue from Chef Adam Perry Lang, additional bites from Vetri Family chefs, cocktails, and the complete insider industry experience.

Sponsors for the ninth annual Great Chefs Event include: Urban Outfitters, the Emerson Group, David Stout & Martine Lamoureaux, CHOP Department of Pediatrics, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC, Drs. Benjamin & Jordana Cooperberg, ARAMARK Business Dining, Andrea Biondo, Judd and Andrea Tirnauer, Tierney & Associates, DA Risa Vetri Ferman & Michael Ferman, Jaimie and David Field, 452 Design, Color Reflections, Advanced Staging & 10 Speed Press.

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $1,000.00. For information on how to become a sponsor, contact Genevieve Lynch at The Vetri Foundation for Children, (215-735-0200), genevieve@vetrifamily.org.

General Admission tickets are $350.00 per person; VIP tickets include access to the exclusive after party at Alla Spina and cost $525.00. To purchase tickets, visit www.greatchefsevent.org.

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $75 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 375 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

About The Vetri Foundation for Children
Founded in 2008 as a result of its affiliation with Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Vetri Foundation for Children was established to help kids experience the connection between healthy eating and healthy living. Their goal is to give children the nutritional foundation they need to grow and thrive. Current initiatives include the development of “Eatiquette,” a program that helps schools provide healthy, scratch made meals while working within the federal guidelines for the National School Lunch Program. Students eat family style, allowing them to practice life skills such as teamwork, communication, manners and portion control while receiving fresh, nutritious lunches. The Vetri Foundation for Children is a 501(c) 3 organization. For more information, please visit www.vetrifoundation.org