11/08/2025
Chicago Chefs Cook Community:
It's been an impactful seven months— Chicago Chefs Cook is proud to share that year to date, we have raised over $200,000 for the causes hand-selected and championed by Chicago's Chef leaders.
These funds will fuel local and national programs that address: child hunger, mental health, regenerative agriculture, education access, homelessness, medical access, and assistance to those displaced due to conflict and natural disaster. Below, you will find “quick bites” highlighting what we’ve accomplished together and a preview of what’s ahead (+ two asks for your support and participation). We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and opportunities to expand our impact in 2025 and beyond.
Chicago Chefs Cook | Highlights
• Chicago Chefs Cookbook (sponsored by Mariano's): We were thrilled to see the outpouring of interest, excitement, and support for the Chicago Chefs Cookbook. Thank you to Amanda Puck and Mariano's for your generous sponsorship and world class leadership. We are extremely appreciative of the thousands of readers who picked up a copy. Net proceeds were dedicated to Chi Care, a wonderful local organization dedicated to providing warm meals and basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness in Chicagoland.
• Chicago Chefs Cook for Los Angeles ( ): We raised over $75,000 for Restaurants Care, providing vital financial support to California restaurant workers facing crisis. This achievement highlights the power of our community - 116 chefs, restaurateurs, kitchen teams, donors, and partners - coming together to make a meaningful difference and strengthen the bond between Chicago and LA’s culinary communities. We’re also excited to share that, during a lovely meal at Gene & Georgetti last month, Alycia Harshfield (President) and Erin Mascho (Director of Development) of the California Restaurant Foundation kindly offered to host a call to update all participating CCC4LA Chefs on LA fire relief efforts, the ways in which our collective donation has made an impact, and channels to remain connected to progress. This is a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the impact of our work and continue building the bridge between our culinary communities.
• I Cook For Event at The Four Seasons: $1,100 was raised for each of the 27 Chef-selected charities. This inaugural event held at the stunning Four Seasons Hotel Chicago not only showcased the diversity of causes that Chefs are leading—from child hunger to mental health, education, and humanitarian aid—but also demonstrated the power of our culinary community to unite around proactive giving, advocacy, and storytelling. As part of this event, Chicago Chefs Cook was also able to raise $20K+ for our organization to support operations and future giving campaigns, for the first time. Thank you again to Stephen Wancha and The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago team, Lindsey Goldberg of LRG, Terms of Service podcast, and Kinship PR!
• Ole' & Obrigado Charity Recipient: Thanks to Ole & Obrigado, Brooke Webster, and Patrick Mata, Chicago Chefs Cook has been selected to receive charitable donations based on Olé & Obrigado | Liquid Geography Mencía Rosé sales. To date, Olé & Obrigado has donated 50% of Liquid Geography Mencía Rosé's profits in equal parts to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support cancer care, research, education, and Wine on Wheels to help those with disabilities experience life to the fullest. We are extremely proud of this partnership and honored to be selected this year.
• NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony: As part of the 2024 Chicago Innovation Award, Chicago Chefs Cook was invited to ring the NASDAQ closing bell in NYC on August 1st! We proudly joined Chicago Innovation CEO Luke Tanen and all 2024 award recipients to represent the impact and contributions of every Chicagoland chef and culinary leader on the NASDAQ stage. Please visit our IG page for pictures and videos from this special day in NYC.
What's Next?
• Good Morning America & $10K Texas Flood Relief Matching Campaign: Chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick of Soul and Smoke kicked off the Windy City Smokeout Weekend by winning a $10,000 donation for CCC in the Good Morning America Barbeque Brawl, as part of Sonny BBQ's "Q Kindness Campaign". In the wake of the devastating flooding in Texas, we are proud to direct these funds to the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund. We pledge to match all donations to this cause 1:1 up to the full $10,000.
How can you help (All)? Please share the attached Texas Flood Matching Campaign content with your followers and post the campaign donation link on your socials over the next 2 weeks. Feel free to tag us at and add . Special thanks to 77 Flavors for their leadership in supporting this effort.
• CLINK 2025 Wine & Spirits Festival: For a second consecutive year, Chicago Chefs Cook is proud to partner with the CLINK 2025 Wine and Spirits Festival!, created to highlight BIPOC and women in the industry The festival is led by the Sip & Empower Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers for BIPOC entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, funding, and advocacy. Tickets are now available and the event takes place on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 at Morgan MFG (401 N Morgan St).
How can you help (Chefs)? CLINK is looking to partner with 5 Chefs and food vendors to participate in the event. Each Chef participant will receive a Mariano's stipend as a thank you for your contributions. To get involved in this wonderful event, please reach out to us.
Thank you for your ongoing support and leadership. We look forward to continuing our work together and welcome your input as we shape what's next.
Gratefully,
Chef Sarah Stegner, Eda Davidman, Melissa Clark, Darren Gest
Chicago Chefs Cook
