Loaves and Fishes Community Services will hold its Chef Showdown fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at the Linnea Eleanor Rutkowski Food Distribution Hub at 580 Exchange Court in Aurora.
The event will raise funds for essential services for struggling families in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, according to a press release about the event.
This year’s competition will showcase executive chefs from local restaurants Vistro Prime of Hinsdale and Hugo’s Bar and Fish House of Naperville, according to the release. The chefs will compete to create unique dishes in a professional stadium kitchen assembled for the competition.
The competing chefs will be assisted by celebrity sous chefs and Loaves and Fishes supporters Jacque Clermont, director of Community Relations at Naperville Community Unit School District 203; Aurora Deputy Mayor Casey Cuevas; Jorge Ibarra, market president at BMO U.S.; and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Chris Phalon.
Dishes will be voted upon by a panel of judges, including Julie Christman, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley; DuPage County Board member Paula Deacon Garcia; and Yvette Saba, president of Endeavor Health Edward Hospital and system executive for the Endeavor Health Cardiovascular Institute.
Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy food catered by event partner My Chef Catering, according to the release.
Tickets for the event are $125 and can be purchased by going to loaves-fishes.org.
For more information, contact Tracy Katschke-Goss at [email protected].
Kane Forest Preserve Foundation sets Native Plant Sale
The Kane Forest Preserve Foundation has announced the return of its Native Plant Sale, aimed at promoting biodiversity, supporting local ecosystems and fostering sustainable gardening practices, foundation officials said.
The in-person sale will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25, at Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St. in St. Charles.
At the event, patrons can browse a selection of native plants, receive advice on plants from staff members and participate in raffles and giveaways, according to a press release.
In addition to the in-person event, plants are available for ordering in advance online through April 12. To reserve plant selections, go to https://bit.ly/NativePlants26.
For more information on the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation’s Native Plant Sale or sponsorship opportunities, go to www.kaneforestpreservefoundation.org, call 630-232-5980 or email [email protected].
Photo contest announced
The Forest Preserve District of Will County is holding a “Preserve the Moment” photo contest, which runs through the end of the year.
Participants can submit up to five original photos a month taken in a Will County forest preserve or on a trail for a chance to win gift cards and be featured on the district’s website and other publications.
From February through December, a panel of judges will select three standout photos per month that will go head-to-head in a public vote on the district’s Facebook page.
Monthly winners advance to the final round for a chance at first, second and third place overall, a district news release. Prizes include a $500 MasterCard gift card for first place, a $250 MasterCard gift card for second place and a $150 MasterCard gift card for third place, the release said.
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Monthly winners will receive a $75 MasterCard gift card. At the end of the contest, three participants will be randomly selected to each receive a $75 MasterCard gift card.
Photos will be judged on focus, lighting, composition, creativity, storytelling and overall impact, with special attention to native species, officials said.
Rules are available on the district’s website at www.reconnectwithnature.org.