The 2008 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, presented by the University of Louisville, had over 600 people in attendance and raised $234,000 for the organization, $19,000 more than the event raised last year. The fundraiser took place on Thursday, October 30, 2008 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel & Suites, and featured a gourmet sampling feast prepared by some of Louisville's best chefs and restaurants.
Culinary awards (judged by Dr. Robert Green, Denny Crum and John Schnatter)
given to participants included:
-Best Food Presentation Award: Awarded to Ladyfingers for the most visually creative food presentation.
-Priceless Package Award: Awarded to The English Grill for providing the most unique and creative auction package.
-Triple Crown Award: Awarded to Porcini's for having the best food presentation, gourmet delicacy and auction package combination.
-Louisville's Finest - Judges' Favorite: Awarded to Amerigo for going above and beyond all the others in either food presentation, gourmet delicacy or auction package.
-People's Choice: Awarded to Del Frisco's. This was voted on by the attendees at Signature Chefs.
Participating Signature Chefs included Chef Tony Gillman of Amerigo, Chef
Brad Anderson of Avalon, Chef Greg Johnson of Buck's, Chef Gary Byler, Jr.
of Café Metro, Chef Giles Lehto of Del Frisco's, Chef Martin G. Baugh of
Ladyfingers, Chef Mike Cunha of Limestone Restaurant, Chef Anthony Lusiak of
Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, Chef Allen Hubbard of Martini Italian
Bistro, Michaels and Associates, Chef John Plymale of Porcini's, Chef Brian
Riddle of RIVUE, Chefs Chip Herchert, Doug Weist and Jeremy Melloan of
Sysco, Chef Laurent Geroli of The English Grill, Chef Marcus Heindseiman of
The Jefferson Club, Chef John Varanese of Varanese, and Chef Joshua Moore of
Volare.
Live and silent auctions helped with fundraising efforts by raising $56,000.
This year's Signature Chefs event was presented by the University of
Louisville and sponsored by The Frazier Family Foundation, The Birth Defects
Center at U of L, Neonatal Intensive Care Experts, Mitchco and Brown-Forman.
