Philanthropy

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
Martin Luther King Jr

Purpose

When I was 21 and lost my father, he was only 51 years old. I realized that my purpose was not only to give all of myself to each and every day, but do all I can to raise people up around me.

Here are some of the ways I do like to share my knowledge, expertise and talents.

Cooking Up a Cure

Since 2009, I have been the creator and chair for Cooking Up a Cure Chicago. CUAC is the ultimate culinary experience with the best food and drink Chicago has to offer! We gather the best chefs in Chicago who are ready to serve up an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, music and auction items. All in support of the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago.

Reimagine Mendota

We are a group of residents committed to the revitalization of downtown and development of the city so we all have a great place to live, work, and play.

Breakfast for Ina

When the one and only Breakfast Queen – Ina Pinkney – needs help, we move into action. In September of 2019 Phillip Foss and I gathered all of our friends to help raise money to get her condo ADA compliant. So we rounded up the best chefs, along with some other great friends in the city to raise money for her. And thanks to all of those great people we were able to help her convert her condo to be ADA compliant.

CigarBQue

Fellow chef Rick Gresh and I got to talking about having cigars one day. After a beer, we decided to invite other chef friends who also enjoy kicking back with a stick. After the third beer, we decided to turn it into a big event. The result was Chicago’s most unique chef event with cigars, drinks, food and camaraderie all in the name of raising money for the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.