The crowd erupted in applause as Jodi Juhl of Lakeshore News Tonight announced Chef Scott Farrell of The Chateau as the 2011 People’s Choice Award winner at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction.
Nearly 400 guests at the Avalon Manor in Merrillville savored signature dishes from Northwest Indiana’s top chefs and bid on live and silent auctions in one of the premier chefs events of the region. In the end, it was Chef Scott’s traditional style beef ribs that took the top prize.
Jonathan Nalli, Chief Executive Officer of Porter Health System and the 2011 Honoree for the event, acknowledged the nursing and medical staff at all of the area hospitals and thanked them for their dedication to the health of babies. Nalli shared statistics regarding infant health and how the March of Dimes works to improve the community by reducing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Guests were moved by a first-hand account of the impact the March of Dimes has had on the lives of the Stacy family of Highland whose son spent 105 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and whose daughter spent 28 days in the NICU.
Premature birth is the most serious infant health problem in the United States today. It affects more than half a million babies each year nationwide. 1 in 7 babies are born premature in Northwest Indiana. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have lifelong disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reversing this trend by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and providing comfort and information to families.
The March of Dimes raised urgently needed funds to support their mission to improve the health of babies with this event.
“Thanks to the generous support of area businesses who provided wonderful items for the silent and live auctions and the outstanding leadership of our volunteer committee, the event was outstanding,” exclaimed March of Dimes Board Chair Matt Valuckis of V as in Victor Marketing and Design. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and everyone who donated to this year’s Signature Chefs Auction.”
The evening featured live music from the Kyle Hurd Band and was co-emceed by Juhl and Valuckis. Volunteers from the Kohls A-Team from Valparaiso, Citizens Financial Bank, Target from Valparaiso, the Disney Store in Merrillville, culinary students of Ivy Tech and students from the American Culinary Federation worked the silent auction tables, volunteered as servers and managed registration and checkout.
The list of chefs participating in the event included: Mike Zubay – Ameristar Casino, Hipolito Sanchez – Avalon Manor, Ruben Calvo & Frank Kwieicen – Banquets at St. George, Harry Karahalios – Briar Ridge Country Club, Scott Farrell – The Chateau, Tim Merkel – Giovanni’s, Elida Abeyta & Beverly Seleb – Ivy Tech East Chicago, Justin Evans – Long Beach Country Club, David Hemdal – Strongbow Inn, Ken Regan and Jillian Flathers – Radisson, Jack Lencioni – Villa Cesare, Cheryl Molenda and David Siano – American Culinary Federation and Chef Muhammad Siddiqui – Porter/Sodexo.
“We’re very happy to be here and support the cause,” said Jack Lencioni of Villa Cesare. “This event is a lot of fun for us. We have a great time being here!”
The Times Media Company was the event’s featured sponsor and the Post-Tribune was a Double-Platinum Sponsor. Platinum Sponsors were the Avalon Manor, Lithographic Communications and V as in Victor Marketing & Design. Gold sponsors were 89.1 the Lakeshore, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, Methodist Hospitals, Renaissance Medical Group, Strack and Van til and the Team Auto Stores. Silver sponsors included Geoffrey Hudson Photography, Enbridge, NIPSCO, and It’s My Party.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Photos:
- Chef Hipolito Sanchez of the Avalon Manor places a finishing garnish on his delicious acorn squash soup at the 2011 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. The Signature Chefs Auction raises money to fund the March of Dimes mission of giving every baby a healthy start.
- Sandi Phalen bids on an exciting live auction package at the 2011 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. This event raises money for the March of Dimes mission of reducing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.