Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine tests rebounding restaurants with largest event since shutdown

In February, Tony Priolo reached out to dozens of native cooks to harness their expertise to lift cash for Ukrainians fleeing battle.

“How are you going to not be affected by this?” mentioned Priolo, chef and co-owner of Piccolo Sogno. “We’re not getting shelled by bombs, we’re not hiding in subways, we’re not operating for our lives.”

The fundraiser can be held Wednesday night at Navy Pier, that includes dishes from over 70 native cooks.

“Tomorrow I am making an Amish blue cheese terrine with grapes, candied pecans, and the pecans are from Three Sisters Backyard, which is an area farm in Kankakee,” mentioned Sarah Stegner, co-chef and co-owner of Prairie Grass Café.

March 16 was the date out there at Navy Pier, and it additionally occurs to be the identical date that, two years in the past, lots of the cooks concerned closed their kitchens.

“These challenges have been so devastating to this trade, it is simply actually laborious to beat all the points from labor to individuals being afraid,” Stegner mentioned.

“This trade has been via ringer greater than as soon as, however I believe it is making us stronger,” Priolo mentioned.

“We’re not defeated, we can have resistance and can step as much as do what we have to do to make the world a greater place, no matter our circumstances,” mentioned Stegner.

Earnings will go to World Central Kitchen, which is offering meals to Ukrainians. Tickets are nonetheless out there, and could be bought right here.