The second annual Salute to the Legends took place on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The event was a fun kick-off to the basketball tournament season. Former University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Bellarmine coaches and players, along with other sports celebrities came out to support Boys and Girls Haven; Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum was one of the legends in attendance.
Part of the Legends event was a raffle for an evening with Crum and his wife Susan Sweeney Crum for the winner and their guests. The evening included a three course dinner prepared by prominent chef Bobby Benjamin and his assistant Bruce Wilson. Benjamin's wife, Hanna Dozier Benjamin, was also in attendance with Leah Armfield.
The first course was a red leaf salad with bacon, brown butter croutons, poached egg and vinaigrette dressing. The second course was a Short Rib with grits, seared Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, mushrooms and parsley. Last but not least was the third course; Banana Foster bread pudding, bourbon maple syrup, candied black walnuts and vanilla bean ice cream.
The raffle winner was David Carper. His guests for the evening were Steve Schmitt, Brian Betz, Dan Whitsell, Randy Phillips, Chris Martinez, Joe Hagedorn and Tim Totten. After dinner the gentlemen played poker with Crum, they all lost to the poker champ.
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Chef Bobby Benjamin is a native of Rhode Island. Benjamin’s earliest culinary experiences were centered on family traditions and some of the nation’s best seafood. Inspired by the power that food has to create shared experiences; Benjamin secured his first restaurant job at the age of 13. Although he was first relegated to the dishwashing station, he was promoted to the line when he was only 14 and he has been cooking ever since.
Armed with the knowledge of culinary basics including sauces, stocks and soups, Benjamin enrolled in Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospitality Studies in Louisville, Ky., where he would refine and expand his skills. He graduated with a degree in the culinary arts in 2003. Benjamin subsequently worked with and held stage positions for such renowned chefs as Sean Brock, Wolfgang Puck and Gino Angelini before returning to Louisville to work at The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hotel. As chef de cuisine at the Oakroom, Benjamin and his culinary team maintained the restaurant’s coveted AAA Five Diamond status.
Benjamin was recently selected to lead a new establishment in the NuLu district of Louisville which will open in spring 2012; be sure to watch Louisville.com for the restaurants opening and review.
To contact Benjamin visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chef-Bobby-Benjamin/189093317782995
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Boys Haven is the story of Father James C. Maloney, who saw a need and devoted his entire life to fulfilling it. Boys and Girls Havens’ mission is to shelter, heal, and teach young people to become productive and healthy members of our community. While their services have expanded over the years, the mission to serve young people and families, regardless of race or creed, has remained constant for over half a century. Private, non-profit and nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Boys and Girls Haven is located at 2301 Goldsmith Lane in Louisville and is a member of the Foster Family Treatment Association (FFTA), Children's Alliance of Kentucky, Alliance for Children and Families and Greater Louisville, Inc. Since its founding, Boys and Girls Haven has touched the lives of more than 3,500 abandoned, abused and neglected children. For additional information visit www.boyshaven.org
