Great Chefs Event: Live, on camera
Chefs and food luminaries, such as Bobby Flay and Robert Irvine, talk about the annual fundraiser.
The 2016 edition of the Great Chefs Event drew 1,200 folks and nearly four dozen chefs from around the country to Urban Outfitters' headquarters at the Navy Yard on June 14.
The fundraiser was started in 2006 by the founding partners of Vetri Ristorante - Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin - to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research. In 2008, Vetri and Benjamin founded Vetri Community Partnership, which helps provide healthy school lunch and nutrition education to Philadelphia youth.
Update: Organizers report that more than $800,000 was raised. From the live auction, the $81,000 take included $20,000 for a dinner at Vetri's home for 10 cooked by Vetri and Michael Solomonov with guests Liz and Jay Scott.
Also selling in the thousands were silent-auction items, including a private pizza party for 8 at Pizzeria Beddia; pasta-making class and dinner at Osteria for 10; and a chance to tag along with Inquirer food critic Craig Laban during a review dinner. The silent auction take was $85,000.
Through Facebook Live, here are some interviews with the food-world attendees.
Bobby Flay
Robert Irvine of Restaurant Impossible.
Barbara and Sal Vetri, with a cameo by Marc Vetri
Doug Quint of Big Gay Ice Cream
Greg Vernick of Vernick Food + Drink
Jeff Michaud of the Vetri restaurants, and his father, Tom
Jennifer Carroll and Billy Riddle
Fergus Carey. Yes, Fergie from Fergie's Pub