With our growing cultural love of food, cooking, and competition, the United Way of Lewis County’s upcoming Chef’s Night Out promises to ring in summer with red carpet glamor for a great cause.
Billed as ‘A Culinary and Charitable Extravaganza’ this is the event’s eighth year. “Last year nearly 300 guests filled the room at the Lucky Eagle Casino event center, raising over $150,000 for our community in partnership with the new Boys and Girls Club of Chehalis,” explains United Way of Lewis County’s Resource Development Director Angela French.
French continues, “Chef’s Night Out is more than just a fundraiser to benefit several health and human service organizations throughout Lewis County. It’s a night to come together as a community and celebrate the amazing culinary talent right in our own back yard. Through the generous support we receive at this event, United Way of Lewis County is able to help more families and children thrive and create positive change. Over the last seven years, Chef’s Night Out has brought in over $350,000, helping thousands of children and families achieve their full potential and lead healthy, productive lives.”
This year’s Hollywood themed night features a Top Chef-style competition and French hopes that “guests come as a star or come as you are.” Local restaurants and chefs will prepare tasty treats to compete for your vote. In between bites, tour the auction items which include a 7-day Mexican vacation, spa getaway for six, a Seahawks game (with pre-game activities and ultimate tailgate party) for four, or a Mariners private box suite for 24 people.
Budding sommeliers can enter the Wine Pull Raffle for a chance to win a Chateau Ste. Michelle 2017 Summer Concert VIP Experience for two. While purchasing tickets, don’t forget to bring home a bottle of wine for later.
Chef’s Night Out will take place at the Lucky Eagle Casino’s Event Center on Saturday, June 18. Tickets are $75 a person and must be purchased by June 16 either online or by calling 360-748-8100.
This year’s participating chefs and restaurants are Darin Harris of Boccata Restaurant, Dawn Lawson from Dawn’s Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe, Donnie Stancil of McMenamins Olympic Club, Shane Wright from O’Blarney’s Irish Pub, Jeremy Wildhaber from Jeremy’s Farm to Table Restaurant, Jack Heinselman and Michael Kim from Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel, and Sue Tower and Jay Ryan from Virgin Kitchens and Hub City Grub.
The United Way of Lewis County has cared for others for more than 50 years. With a mission to “improve, consistently and measurably, the quality of life for all the people of Lewis County by raising and distributing funds, mobilizing resources, and encouraging innovative solutions to the community’s health and human service needs” they are always looking for future volunteers, donors, and advocates to build a stronger community.
Executives at the Food Network channel love the popularity of cooking competitions. Their Senior Vice President Bob Tuschman explains that “Yes, the competitors are faced with huge challenges in terms of limited time, ingredients, tools and environment, but what drives the storytelling is how they use their culinary expertise to cook their way out of the corner they find themselves boxed into.”
But for many families, the corner they’re boxed into isn’t by choice. It is only through the generosity of the United Way and donations from community members and events like Chef’s Night Out that they can overcome their personal challenges. Buy your tickets now to benefit families across the county on June 18.
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