How about a Chinese New Year Celebration with the top chefs in the city cooking, a guest list of bold-faced names a mile long and décor that included painting the home’s halls RED to match the theme? Well, that was exactly the party that beloved Chef Art Smith and his husband/artist Jesus Salgueiro threw on January 26.
A cold, snowy night didn’t keep the lines of cars from pulling up to the valet in Kenwood to make their arrivals. From the front door, all throughout the house, fantastic colorful decorations brightened every corner. Jesus’ wonderful artwork fills the memento-filled spaces – he even painted and designed all the dinner mats for guests. It was sensory overload on all counts but, most of all, for the array of chefs assembled to cook the meal: Chef Tony Priolo (black truffle dumplings two ways); Chef Sarah Stegner (spring rolls and spicy mushrooms with shrimp); Chef Tigist Reda (whole fish); Chef Joe Flamm (longevity noodles); Chef Erick Williams (sui mai and garlic broccoli); Chef Brian Jupiter (rice cakes with crawfish and pickled shrimp); Chef Carol Cheung (Peking duck, jellyfish salad and Chinese egg tarts); Chef Hector Guerrero (Chinese BBQ ribs) and Tea Purveyor Annie Xiang (dragon well green tea and big red robe Wulong tea). Mai tais were served by Jade Court’s Adrian Race.
During welcome remarks Chef Art thanked all the world-class chefs, especially for their contributions to the efforts in Ukraine as well as in Tigray, Ethiopia. Jesus said, “We always have a purpose which is to try to benefit someone in need, because that’s where our hearts are.”
After the party, in keeping with this noble mission, food was delivered to the victims of the Kenwood high-rise fire that had taken place the day before.
Guests included First Lady of Illinois MK Pritzker, Manolis Alpogianis, Eric Kircherer, George Alpogianis, Marilynn Gardner, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Peter Kamberos, Perri Irmer, Roberto Gonzalez, Chilli Pepper, Steve Abrams, Nora Daley, Connie Pikulas, Ken Norgan, Matt Olaveson, Erin Solaro, Colin McMahon, Steve Dolinsky and Amy Dordek, Chuck Jordan, Sylvia Perez with her beautiful daughter Magali, Gary Metzner and so many more.
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