Cleveland, OH – Michael Symon co-host of the ABC-TV daytime show “The Chew” and owner of several Cleveland restaurants is teaming up with famous NYC chef, best selling cookbook author, and “The Chew” co-host Mario Batali to orchestrate a benefit for Autism Speaks. The event will be held in the new Central Atrium at the Cleveland Museum of Art on August 9th. Joining the famed delicious dish duo are 20 of Cleveland’s well seasoned chef’s from around America’s North Coast.
This isn’t the first time Cleveland has lent it’s culinary creators to Autism Speaks. Last year Tri-C Hospitality Management Center on Cleveland’s Public Square hosted the Chef’s Gala For Autism Speaks. Even though the event surpassed their $100,000 gaol Autism Speaks Co-chair Jim Sammon knew choices had to be made. Instead of making this an annual benefit, it will be held biennially-or every other year. The event will alternate with the city’s other chef driven benefit Five Star Sensation, a fundraiser for University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
The Chef’s Gala for Autism Speaks new goal is $250,000. With a 700 person capacity space lined up Sammon thinks this goal will be easy to reach. But attendance is not the only reason. He told Cleveland.com
“When I set up the benefit last year, it’s remarkable how most every of them [the chefs] has been touched in some way by autism. One has a best friend who is effected. Another has a cousin. At least one has a child himself who’s autistic.”
Autism Speaks Cleveland Chefs Gala: 6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, August 9 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland. A VIP meet-and-greet reception with Michael Symon and guest star chef Mario Batali begins at 6 p.m. Individual ticket to the cocktail reception tasting, featuring Cleveland chefs and two drink tickets, art $200. Special donor level access is available. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit the AutismSpeaks.org website.
To learn more about the event and to get a complete list of volunteering chefs visit the article from Cleveland.com here: