Like a fine wine, this event just keeps getting better with age.
The Mid-Cities SOS (Supporters of SafeHaven) held their 6th annual Celebrity Chefs benefiting SafeHaven January 15 at the Hilton Hotel Southlake Town Square.Event co-chairs Martha Blue and Julie English should be extremely proud of themselves as well as their outstanding committee of Tara Hutchins-Welsh, Fonda Martin, Velma Walker, Renny Hostetler, Jane Wood, Carolyn Forbes, Jennifer Goldberg, Sally Wobbeking, Martha Ragsdale, Janet Smith, Joyce Hall, Patti Campbell, Sally Bustamante, Kristy Gelberd, Janice Kane, Kathy Lincoln, Mia Poorman, Lynda Sanders and Deanna Stuart. I don't know how this group does it but each year this event just gets better and better. I have to believe that I'm not the only one who agrees with this because this year was a year of record attendance; more than 400 people attended.Most fundraisers have some type of "show" attached to them, such as a fashion show, dance band or awards element. But at this event, the chefs and their creations take the stage. And this year they all deserve a Tony (Broadway's equivalent of an Academy Award) for their efforts.They include Jaime Aguilar from Copland's from New Orleans at the Hilton, Southlake; Hans Bergmann from Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Jon Bonnell from Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine; Otto Borsich from Central Market; Susan Clark from Sweet Memories Cakes & Catering; Ed Esquivel from Wildwood Grill; Anthony Felli from Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House; Craig Ford from Timarron Country Club; Jason Harper from Trio Café; Kyle Jones from Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Brian Olenjack from OlenJack's Grille; Donatella Trotti from Nonna Tata; Chris Wilson from Market Street; Mark Yamada from Trophy Club Country Club; and Charles Youts from The Classic Café.The only thing that caused me to pause was the fact that the deserts were outside the main ballroom and I have to admit, I missed out on that. I'm sure that was due to just plain old running out of space. Needless to say, I had eaten my way around the room, so I was stuffed (a big shout out to Velcro!), but hey, who doesn't always have room for a little something sweet.Of course this event is a "fundraiser." New this year was a Champagne Diamond Drop. For $50, attendees purchased a glass of champagne and each glass had a number. One lucky person was going to win a one-carat diamond, donated by Richard's Custom Jewelers in Hurst. And who went home with the beautiful sparkler, none other than Laurel Hardy.Additionally, there was also the live auction that brought in more than $42,000 smackers, which put the total take for the evening at more than $107,000.Well done ladies!Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
