Top Chicago chefs, led by Tony Priolo, band together for LA wildfire relief

We all know Chicago has some of the most philanthropic chefs in the land, so it was no surprise when nine top chefs rallied together to support victims of yet another tragedy. Chicago Chefs Collaboration for LA was an extraordinary, exclusive night of support for victims of California's wildfires hosted on Feb. 11 at Piccolo Sogno on behalf of World Central Kitchen. 

Led by Chef Tony Priolo, Chefs Brian Jupiter, Paul Kahan, Erick Williams, Giuseppe Tentori, Casey Doody, John Manion, Greg Wade and Martial Noguier banded together to cook at Priolo's restaurant for an intimate group of 56 guests. 

Attendees enjoyed nine delicious courses, one per chef, that included black truffle pizza (Priolo); Snake River Farms flap steak with risotto (Manion); potato empanada with trout roe and creme fraiche (Jupiter); baked Mont D'or cheese with croutons, black truffles and marmalade (Noguier); gnocchi with spinach, shrimp and cherry tomatoes (Tentori); red snapper with pickled turnips, Egyptian grains and black harissa (Williams); tiramisu (Doody) and stone milled honey wheat bread served with burnt honey butter (Wade). Each chef described their dish before it was served. 

Food critic/guest Phil Vettel called Casey Doody's tiramisu "the best he's ever had," causing her to break into happy tears. A live auction included dinner for 12 at the guest's home cooked by all nine chefs! It sold twice, once to Hedwig Golant and another guest, raising the total amount raised on this night to over $70,000! 

Matt Tripsas, World Central Kitchen Director of Community Fundraising, was on hand to thank the chefs and attendees for supporting this nonprofit that provides fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises across the globe.

Chef Priolo shared, "We all banded together to help the victims of the LA fires and we decided the only nonprofit we wanted to raise money for was World Central Kitchen. Our community of chefs here in Chicago are always the first in line and ready to lend a helping hand. Without our loyal customer bases, friends and staff, none of this would be possible. To be able to pay it forward and make a small impact in someone's life means the world to all of us." 

(Photos by Candace Jordan)