The Great Chefs Event

The Great Chefs Event - SOLD OUT

This Saturday was the 10th annual event for Alex's Original Lemonade Stand in Wynnewood, PA. This year they raised over $100,000 to help find a cure for childhood cancer. I was thrilled to see my girls participate by volunteering at one of the stands and being involved with the butterfly release.

My wife and I are fortunate to know Jay and Liz Scott, Alex's parents, and I was thrilled when they invited me (The Reluctant Gourmet) to be a sponsor at this years Great Chefs Event hosted by Chef Marc Vetri at his Osteria restaurant on Wednesday.

There will be over twenty world-class chefs at his restaurant for a "street fair for foodies" at this Fourth Annual event. Everyone there will get to walk around, meet these incredible chefs and sample small plates featuring their culinary creations. Here's a list of the participating chefs this year. It is quite the gathering.

• Kiong Bahn, Twenty Manning,  Philadelphia
• Dan Barber & Josh Lawlor, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, New York
• Franklin Becker, Abe & Arthur's, New York
• Jonathan Benno, Per Se, New York
• John Besh, Restaurant August/Besh Steak/Luke/La Provence,  New Orleans
• Chris Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco, Pane Bianco, Bar Bianco,  Phoenix
• Tom Colicchio, Host of Top Chef, Craft Restaurants
• Bobby Flay, Food Network Star, Mesa Grill Restaurants
• Clark Fraiser & Mark Gaier, Arrows/MC Perkins Cove/SummerWinter, Ogunquit, Maine
• Neil Fraser, Grace, Los Angeles
• Jose Garces, Amada /Tinto/Chilango/Distrito, Philadelphia
• Suzanne Goin, Lucques/ A.O.C., Los Angeles
• Paul Kahan, Blackbird/Avec, Chicago
• Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey, Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colorado
• Joseph Manzare,  Zuppa/Globe/Tres Agaves/Pescheria, San Francisco
• Masaharu Morimoto, Food Network Star, Morimoto, Philadelphia
• Jeff Michaud, Osteria, Philadelphia
• Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Bros., Philadelphia
• Luke Palladino, Ombra, Philadelphia opening Summer 2009
• Eric Ripert & Jennifer Carroll, 10 Arts, Philadelphia
• Marco Rossi, Osteria Le Cantine D, Bergamo, Italy
• Bryan Sikora, Talula's Table Restaurant, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
• Michael Solomonov, Zahav, Philadelphia
• Brad Spence, Vetri,  Philadelphia
• Daniel Stern, Gayle/ Rae Restaurant, Philadelphia
• Michael Symon, Lola-Lolita, Cleveland/ Roast, Detriot
• Sue Torres, Suenos, New York
• Marc Vetri, Vetri/Osteria, Philadelphia
• Rocco Whalen, Fahrenheit Restaurant, Cleveland

A Little History About Alex (from the Alex's Lemonade Stand website)

In 2000, a 4 year old cancer patient named Alexandra "Alex" Scott announced a seemingly simple idea -she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help "her doctors" find a cure for kids with cancer. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, when they set up the first "Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July of 2000.

For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands and other fundraising events have been held across the country by children, schools, businesses, and organizations, all to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer. On August 1st, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of 8 -- she had raised over $1 million for childhood cancer research in her short lifetime.

Alex's spirited determination to raise awareness and money for all childhood cancer while she bravely fought her own deadly battle with cancer has inspired thousands of people, from all walks of life to raise money and give to her cause. Alex's family and supporters are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501c3 charity. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $25 million for childhood cancer research. The result -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!

How To Get Involved

There are lots of ways to get involved. Of course you can donate some money at their web site but you may want to consider hosting your own Alex's Lemonade stand or event in your neighborhood. On a hot day my kids will ask to set up a stand and sell cups of lemonade to the neighbors driving by and raise some money for the cause. It's a great way to teach your kids the meaning of charity.To learn more about Alex and how you can get involved, I encourage you to visit their website at Alex's Lemonade Stand.

I will be reporting more about The Great Chef's Event after I meet a bunch of  these chefs. Hopefully, I'll be able to share with you some of their recipes.