On March 16, the 2011 Great Chefs Tasting Party® Gala benefitting the UCP of Greater Chicago cooked up a crowd with a terrific space, tremendous leadership and a lineup of top-tier chefs in the wings. Renowned chef Stephanie Izard headlined the event as more than 40 Chicago culinary all-stars served up their signature dishes hosted by Honorary Chair, ABC7 food reporter Steve Dolinsky and Chair, Mike Ditka’s Restaurant Executive Chef Tom Kenny. VIP tickets included an exclusive cocktail reception and cooking demonstration featuring Girl & the Goat’s Stephanie Izard (Bravo’s Top Chef 2008) and Sprout’s Dale Levitski (Bravo Top Chef competitor 2007 and 2010), private open bar and live auction.
Founded in 1951, United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago first opened its doors to address the needs of children and adults with cerebral palsy. They help a child with cerebral palsy use technology that lets her speak for the first time and a man unable to use his hands or arms learn to do his own laundry and prepare his own meals. They help a woman in a wheelchair roll down her new ramp and back into the community to mobilize and inspire.
Participating Chefs Included: 

Ben Pao, Jim Hoveke, 
Big Star, Justin Large and Paul Kahan, 
Bittersweet, Celest Zeccola, 
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba, Timothy Cottini
, Capannari’s Ice Cream, Jim Capannari, 
Coco Pazzo, Chris Macchia
, David Burk’s Steakhouse, Rick Gresh
, Frankie’s Scaloppine, Jose Aguilar
, Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse, Audry Triplett
, Girl and the Goat, Stephanie Izard, 
Heaven on Seven, Jimmy Bannos
, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, Steve Bakas, 
India House Restaurant, Kim Krisha, 
Lao Beijing Chinese Restaurant, Tony Hu, 
Lula/Nightwood, Jason Hammel
, Markethouse, Scott Walton
, Maya Del Sol, Ruben Beltran
, May Street Cafe, Mario Santiago, 
Mercadito Chicago, Patricio Sandoval, 
Mercat a la Planxa, Michael Fiorello, 
Mike Ditka’s Restaurant, Tom Kenny
, Mon Ami Gabi, Justin Dumcum
, MORE Cupcakes, Patty Rothman
, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Greg O’Neill & Ken Miller
, Piccolo Sogno, Tony Priolo, 
Prosecco Ristorante, Mark Sparacino, 
Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant, Rhett Dukes, 
Sable, Heather Terhune
, Sage Grille, Adam Grandt, 
Scoozi!, Jeremy Billings, 
Seasons 52, Clifford Pleau
, Shula’s Steakhouse, Thierry Meissonnier
, Sixteen, Frank Brunacci, 
Sprout, Dale Levitski
, The Culinary School of Kendall College
, The Drawing Room, Nick Lacasse, 
The Purple Pig, Jimmy Bannos Jr.
, The Saloon Steakhouse, Boris Kirzhner
, Trattoria No. 10, Laura Piper
, Wildfire, Moreno Espinoza
, Wow Bow, Marc Bernard, 
ZED451, Patrick Quakenbush

Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. 301 E. North Water Street. http://www.events.org/ucpa/