Chefs for Kids combines fine food, fundraiser

Barbara and Tom McDonald received the Chefs for Kids’ first Legacy Award during the charity’s annual dinner and auction Feb. 21 at Paris Las Vegas’ Champagne Ballroom.

The event honored a group of Las Vegans who have been dedicated to Chefs for Kids in helping to raise money for the program.

The organization’s first Corporate Award went to the Brown Blankfeld Group, a team of real estate professionals affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway. They started and have sponsored the Chefs for Kids Golf Tournament. The group was represented by Shelley Brown, Joel Stelzner, and Helene and Harvey Blankfeld.

Chefs for Kids collaborates with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension to provide nutrition education to first- and second-grade children in “high needs” schools in the Clark County School District.

Chefs team up with nutrition educators from Cooperative Extension who develop nutrition curricula about choosing foods that provide the greatest benefit to children and how physical activity plays a role in a healthy lifestyle.

The evening began with guests including Jewel Brooks, Mari and Thom Landers, Patricia and Richard Wright, Denise and Gustav Mauler, Bishop Joseph Pepe, U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., and Lisa Heck, Randolph and Robyne Townsend, Sue Sullivan, Dee and George Mehocic, Gae and Perry Basch, Kelly and Brian Iriye and Irais and Bob Kolesar socializing while participating in the silent auction for 56 packages during the event’s reception. An accordionist played songs of old Italy in keeping with the event’s theme of “Mangia Italiano.”

Paris Chef Erik Moritz and his staff prepared an Italian dinner beginning with lobster ravioli, followed by grilled hearts of romaine with artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, Gorgonzola and prosciutto. The entree was veal osso buco served on lemon polenta and roasted garlic broccoli. Dessert was assorted Italian sweets. Selected wines were provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada.

Master of ceremonies was Dave Courvoisier, KLAS-TV, Channel 8, news anchor.

Michelle Johnson sang the national anthem, and chef Tom Rosenberger delivered the invocation.

Chef David Simmons, Chefs for Kids’ vice president, spoke about the program and other activities, such as providing Thanksgiving baskets, holiday food gift cards, and breakfast on Christmas Eve morning at the Shade Tree shelter for women and children. Supporter Dan Anderson and Executive Chef Chris Johns also participated in the program.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg conducted the live auction for 13 dinner packages prepared by Las Vegas’ top chefs.

Among the packages, Master Chef Gustav Mauler’s dinner for 10 with wine pairing at his Spiedini Ristorante sold for $7,000. Dinner for 16 guests at the winner’s home by Chef Dave Simmons of Lawry’s and celebrity Chef Vic Vegas sold for $7,000. Chef Darren Walters’ Champagne reception and dinner for 12 in the winner’s home went for $6,000, and a Live VIP Sushi Bar for 100 guests brought in $6,500.

A buffet-style Garden Party at home by Chef Juanita Fryer of South Point sold three times for $5,000 each. Chef James Poltrock of South Point will do a Land Sea dinner in the top bidder’s home for $5,000. Russell’s Restaurant at the College of Southern Nevada will include a wine sommelier with its five-course dinner for 20 guests that sold for $4,000.

A package at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts including appetizers, desserts, Champagne and entertainer Clint Holmes went for $3,500.

A Bloomingdale’s San Francisco shopping spree, including airfare for two and box seats to a Giants home game at AT&T Park, went for the bid of $4,500. Mikimoto Pearls sold for $2,000.

Other guests enjoying the gourmet dinner and music by Harbor Lights were Kjersti and Frank Wyatt, Wendy and Neil Daseler, Phyllis Hendrickson, Cosette and Ken Reid, Ardene Larsen, Sally and Gordon Rycroft, Wendy Nelson, Sally and Larry McKenney, Elana and Ben Graham, Rebecca Scherr, Mimi Bar-on, Lisa Lyons and Jeff Maloney, Jenn Martens and Jason DeMuth, Milt Grant, Charlene and Ken Harper, Lexis Allen, Joe Hollis, Mel Garraway, Jackie Rau, Nancy and Bob Fromm, Pattie Landers, Pat Lundvall, Orlene and James McKeller, Jeanette Norton, Ed Skonicki, Phillip Pinkney, Carolyn Leontos, Mike Whitesides, Fran and Frank Abbott, Brian Burton, Bruno Wehren, Sue and Dave Bryan, Carmel and Jim Widner, Liz and Kae Pohe.

Event chairwoman was Susan Lednicky.

All event proceeds will remain in Clark County to fund the program for the 2015-16 school year.