(Naperville, IL – March 19, 2024) Loaves & Fishes Community Services is excited to announce that Chef Showdown will be held on Thursday, April 18, from 6 – 9 pm at the Linnea Eleanor Ruthkowski Food Distribution Hub, 580 Exchange Court, Aurora. The popular event will raise funds for essential services for struggling families in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties.
This year’s competition will showcase executive chefs from local restaurants CityGate Grille, and Santo Cielo. These talented chefs will compete to create unique dishes in a professional stadium kitchen assembled for the competition.
“We are thrilled to be hosting Chef Showdown and are very grateful to our partners, sponsors, and guests.” Said CEO & President Mike Havala. “We are looking forward to a unique, fun, and memorable event that will make an impact on families in need.”
The competing chefs will be assisted by celebrity sous chefs and Loaves & Fishes supporters, Alex Pope of Rush Copley Medical Center; Liz Spencer of NCTV17; Cathy Subber of The Branch and Advanced Health of Naperville; and Colin Dalough of Endeavor Health. Dishes will be voted upon by a panel of judges, including Alderman Edward Bugg from the City of Aurora; Chef Cynthia Hyett, owner of Busy Butternut; Mike Sitrick, President & CEO of DuPage Foundation; and Dr. Anita Thomas, President of North Central College. The evening will be emceed by Loaves & Fishes Board member Nicki Anderson.
Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy delicious cocktails and food provided by event partner My Chef Catering. Sponsorships are available. There will be a moment to raise the paddle for Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
Tickets are $125, are on sale now, and can be purchased by visiting loaves-fishes.org. This event has sold out quickly in the past, so buying your tickets now is highly advisable.
Thank you to our generous Executive Chef Sponsors, Energy Services and Meson Sabika.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Nicole Louis at nlouis@loaves-fishes.org.
About Loaves and Fishes Community Services
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(3) organization serving between 8,000-9,000 people a week by providing healthy food and impactful programs for self-sufficiency. It is the largest food pantries in the state of Illinois. Clients receive a healthy variety of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and eggs. The Loaves & Fishes CARES programs help clients become self-sufficient through opportunities such as emergency assistance for rent or utilities, assistance with public benefits, car donations, tax preparation, job readiness, budget, and credit classes, and Moving Up, a 16-session intensive to help clients overcome barriers preventing them from becoming self-sufficient. Loaves & Fishes serves DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall counties. Loaves & Fishes Grocery Market and administrative offices are located in Naperville, and their Food Distribution Hub is located in Aurora. For more information, visit loaves-fishes.org.