Chicago Chefs Cook Raised Big Bucks for Causes at Superb Event

Bob Benenson
2 hours ago
2 min read

Five Charities Will Share in Proceeds of "I Cook For..." Tasting Triumph

As Local Food Forum has frequently highlighted, Chicago is cited nationally for the generosity and the philanthropic bent of its culinary committee. This trait has crystallized in Chicago Chefs Cook, the non-profit collaboration that since 2022 has staged a long lineup of tasting events that cumulatively have raised well more than $1 million for charities and causes.

The tasting event held at Chicago's Four Seasons Hotel on the evening of March 26 — which drew an all-star lineup of leading chefs — was a shining example of Chicago Chefs Cook's work. More than 300 food lovers bought tickets for the "I Cook For" benefit, with the proceeds shared among five charities, each representing a particular mission:

Immigration: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Children Battling Cancer: Camp Kids are Kids Chicago

The Unhoused and Food-Insecure: Soul & Smoke Foundation

Women's Culinary Leadership:Women's Chef Exchange

Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture: Frontera Farmer Foundation

Chef Rick Bayless (right in photo) — who represented his legendary Frontera Grill with Executive Chef Javauneeka Jacobs and Chef Zack Steen — founded Frontera Farmer Foundation in 2003. The non-profit has given about $4 million total to small farms in the Chicago foodshed to help them succeed and thrive.

Hopefully the following photos provide some of the flavor of this delicious and virtuous event.

YES, CHEFS