Something to celebrate Monday night at the 4th Annual Celebrity Chefs Benefit and Auction…Mid-Cities Supporters of SafeHaven jumped into a new category.

With co-chairs Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders organizing the event at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square, Monday night the group surpassed the $1 million mark in its donations to SafeHaven.  Early numbers have this year’s total topping $90,000.

The fundraiser, which aids child victims of domestic violence, included a stable full of fabulous chefs who not only trotted out their specialty dishes, but also offered up exclusive dinners for auction. For their part, the chefs whipped up an impressive array of treats for us, the lucky party-goers. From pulled pork to tenderloin to gourmet mac ‘n cheese to crepes, the food was outstanding. Participating in helping a crowd of people blow their new year’s diets were Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto; Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Very special in this year’s live auction was a ruby-and-diamond brooch. The jewel had belonged to the late Colleen Meadows, a long-time supporter of Mid-Cities SOS, and her friend, Leah Shaver, had the honor of circulating the ballroom enticing potential buyers to bid on the sparkly reminder of Colleen.

But besides the money raised for a worthy cause, the evening was a delightful way to start the week. Just as we got to the end of the red-carpet entrance, we were offered a glass of bubbly. Nice touch. And maybe a bit of a good luck charm because by the end we truly had something to celebrate!

Chef Noah Miller of Southlake’s Central Market will be taking the lead chef position for the Fourth Annual Celebrity Chefs, the Jan. 18th fundraiser at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square.

From 6 to 9:30 p.m. that evening, Miller will be joined by a team of other local chefs, in a charitable effort for SafeHaven of Tarrant County. In addition to presenting a signature dish, each chef will offer an exclusive dinner for the live auction. Serving as co-chairs are community volunteers Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders at this benefit sponsored annually by Mid-Cities Supports of SafeHaven.

This year’s chefs showing off their culinary creativity for guests to sample will be Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto;  Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Tickets costs $125 per person, with proceeds benefiting SafeHaven’s programs for children. Tickets are available by calling Donna Burdette at 817-545-7012 or emailing donnaburdette@tx.rr.com

 For more information about the non-profit organization, contact SafeHaven at www.safehaventc.org or call 817-535-6462.

Bring your appetite because it is time for the 3^rd Annual Mid-Cities SOS Celebrity Chefs Event and with the theme Carnaval, this party is one that will be talked about all year long! 

Chair Julie English has added a bit of flair to this year’s Celebrity Chefs… Brazil’s national drink: Caipirinhas made with Leblon Cachaça.   Considered the third most consumed spirit in the world, Cachaca may not be your well known friend just yet, however show up Monday, January 19^th, from 6 to 9:30pm, at the Grapevine Convention Center, and you will get an introduction you will most likely never forget! 

Celebrity Chef Timothy (Ty) Thoren of Gaylord Texan serves as this year’s Lead Chef.  Additionally Chef Joanne Bondy from Old Hickory Steakhouse, Chef Nathan Boothe from Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, Crab House, Chef Susan Clark from Sweet Memories Cakes and Catering, Chef Noah Miller from Central Market, Chef Brian Olenjack from Olenjack’s Grille, Chef Todd Philips from J.R. Steakhouse, Chef Morris Salerno from The Grotto Steakhouse, Chef Sally Bolick Strong and Chef Mike Swirczynski from Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning, Chef Chris Wilson from Market Street and Chef Charles Youts from Classic Café will also be on hand serving up their special culinary creations. 

The Mid-Cities SOS focuses their help on the darling but fragile children of SafeHaven of Tarrant County which is where the dollars raised at this event go.   

The 3^rd Annual Mid-Cities SOS Celebrity Chefs event takes place Monday, January 19^th, from 6 to 9:30pm, at the Grapevine Community Center.  Tickets, $100 each or $1000 for a table of ten, are available by visiting the Mid-Cities SOS website www.mid-citiessos.org or by calling Margaret DeLay at 817-488-6926.