Food and Philanthropy
Kent Rathbun leads all-star lineup of celebri-chefs at signature fundraiser forMarch of Dimes
When you put 22 local culinary superstars at cooking stations in an Omni Dallas ballroom, they're going to cook. And they're going to flaunt their craft.
At the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, lead chef Kent Rathbun, now in his 15th year, made sure of it — so that all 850 guests would bid high on the culinary packages and Chris H. Martin's Kidz painting in the live auction.
Small plates of interesting dishes — such as Abraham Salum's cream of sweet corn, pasilla and piloncillo braised short rib ravioli; Samir Dhurandhar's kung pao lobster; Cameron Handler's hamachi crudo; Bruno Davaillon's oxtail-foie gras soup; and Rathbun's venison meatball carbonara — sated supporters before the bidding began.
Enthusiastic attendees — Jamie Rose, Kat Clay, Randy Davis, Tom Braun, Kristy and Riley Nail, Federico Pacheco, Jordan Hill, Adam Clem, Rhonda and Fraser Marcus, and ambassador family Leah and Rick Rennhack — helped raise $610,000, with a record-breaking $129,000 from "Fund a Mission." Proceeds support the March of Dimes' efforts to improve the health of babies.
None of this would have been possible without event chairs Diane Brierley, Shannon Brame, Anita Braun and Dean McSherry — and, of course, Rathbun's dedication to the philanthropic event.
Mark your calendars for next year's Signature Chefs Auction: the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th anniversary October 24, 2013.