Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Contest! The Prize: Fun Playing With Cleveland Chefs to Benefit the March of Dimes

I have frequently joked to all in earshot that I don't have any children or pets - I find the husband quite sufficient. But though I have no children of my own, I am the sibling of a preemie. And the technology that has improved the odds and the comfort for both mothers and children in such situations exists in large part due to the immense efforts of the March of Dimes.
The most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today is premature birth. It affects more than half a million babies each year, with the number growing every day. In 2008 the March of Dimes issued a report card on Premature Birth, giving the nation a D and Ohio a D. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families who are affected.
I am thrilled to have been invited to support this effort in connection with the upcoming March of Dimes 20th Annual Signature Chefs Auction, to be held on Monday November 22, 2010 at the Embassy Suites Cleveland Rockside, from 5:30 to 9:00pm. Participating restaurants include: AMP 150, Bistro 185, Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern, Budapest Blonde Cocktail Mixes, Corleone’s Ristorante, Dish Deli & Catering, Don’s Lighthouse, Great Lakes Brewing Company, House of Blues, Ken Stewart’s, La Dolce Vita, La Strada, Light Bistro, Lucky Penny Farm & Creamery, Marigold Catering, Melange, Muse at the Ritz Carlton, Orlando Baking, Pier W, Quince, Shinto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, The Good Fork, Three Birds, Umami Asian Grill, and Willoughby Brewing Company. A selection of fine wines will also be offered, as well as live and silent auctions of culinary and other prizes. It promises to be an amazing evening.

The March of Dimes's press release provides additional details about this year's event:
Highlights for this year’s event include a tribute to the 2010 Honorary Medical Chair, Dr. Ricardo J. Rodriguez, Neonatology Chair at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. "March of Dimes has for many years supported and promoted groundbreaking research that has led to improvements in the care of newborns. It is a special organization that has allowed me to give back to children and the community both personally and professionally," said Ricardo Rodriguez, MD, chair of neonatology at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.

Orlando Baking Company will be receiving the FDR Community Leadership award, not only for their efforts of helping the March of Dimes make sure that every baby is born healthy, but also for their strong community support. Brandt Evans, co-owner and Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern is also serving as the 2010 Honorary Chef.
A limited number of tickets to attend this event and support this important cause are still available at $150 per ticket, please contact Jen Lawson, 216-643-3330 to obtain your tickets.

Or here is another possibility. Because the March of Dimes has been kind enough to provide me with a pair of tickets to give away - leave a comment on this blog telling us which participant's dish you'd most like to try that evening (you can also say why, if you'd like to). Also, if your comment sign-in isn't going to leave me with a way to contact you if you win, please either post an edress or email me through this blog to let me know how to reach you if you win. I will select a winner using a random number generator on Monday, November 15 at noon and will post the identity of the winner on this blog and on this blog's Facebook Page later that day (I will also contact the winner by email).

Let's have fun playing with food from some of Cleveland's premier restaurants for a truly fabulous cause on November 22!

25 comments:

  1. I found it interesting that some of the same names represented at the Akron event just two weeks ago are going to also be at the Cleveland version! The other thing I found funny was that while Ken Stewart didn't represent at the Akron event, he's showing up in Cleveland. Go figure.

    Of all the restaurants/caterers listed, the one I would find most intriguing would be Pier W.

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  2. I would like to try Marigold Catering and Dish Catering. Also AMP 150 and Light Bistro!

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  3. Ah, if only I could be in Cleveland for the event, I'd love to try the food from Lucky Penny Farm & Creamery. What a great name that is! It makes me hungry just reading it.

    Since I can't be in Cleveland for the event, if I won the tickets I'd make arrangements to get them donated to one of the nurses working in the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.

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  4. Beckyzoole, I absolutely love your idea of donating your tickets to someone deserving. Bravo to you. You inspire me to do exactly the same if I win.

    I would love to try something from Umami or Pier W. Yes!

    What a great cause.

    Kay Ryan
    irishgrlk@gmail.com

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  5. WOW. That's quite the list! Would have to say Three Birds - still haven't made it there yet! Great giveaway!

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  6. I always love to see what Ellis from AMP150 brings to events like this, it's never something boring!

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  7. hmmm, tough to pick but I'll go with Melange.

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  8. I would like to try food from Blue Canyon and Three Birds!

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  9. I've only been in Cleveland 2 years, but I've been trying to get to Pier W since my first day! Haven't made it yet. The place was recommended to me by a local when I was moving in...and that sign on the shoreway looks delicious!

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  10. Those all sound amazing! There is so much Cleveland has to offer that I have yet to try!

    I absolutely LOVE the goat cheese from Lucky Penny Farms, so I'm incredibly interested in what else they have to offer! Awesome giveaway!

    Becca
    diliberto.rebecca@gmail.com

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  11. Amp 150, I think. I've heard so many good things recently.
    bethannemeyer@gmail.com

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  12. Blue Canyon! I haven't made it out there yet, and I'd love to try one of his creations.

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  13. Interesting list, have to choose AMP 150. Need to go there soon.

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  14. Lucky Penny Farm - their cheeses are amazing.

    jyllpresley@gmail.com

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  15. While I would love to try each and every vendor, I would have to say AMP 150 and Pier W have me the most intrigued!

    Thank you for having such a wonderful contest! I have 11 year old preemie twins (born 13 weeks early) and it amazes me just how much technology has changed in that short amount of time. March of Dimes is an amazing organization, one that is near and dear to my heart! We participate every year for the March for Babies Campaign...GO TEAM THOMAS!!!
    lisa.tohati@sbcglobal.net

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  16. How nice of you to donate! I am dining for the first time at Amp150 tonight and have heard great things... so I would have to say Amp 150 and Unami. That's another one on my wish list.

    Chris Cowen
    christinecowen@aol.com

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  17. I would love to see what they've done to Pier W.

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  18. I would love to taste Chef Ellis' offerings from AMP150!
    (email address: sshikner10@jcu.edu)

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  19. Three Birds because I've been wanting to go there and haven't yet!
    mollymohare@gmail.com

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  20. I would like to try Amp 150 or Pier W.

    Email: beal.Claudia@gmail.com

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  21. I probably also would choose Lucky Penny -- there's no keeping me away from cheese.

    Barbara McIntyre

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  22. I'd choose AMP, and not just because the initials are mine- but because I have heard great things!

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  23. AMP 150! I would love to see what Ellis comes up with for the event!!
    - Ashley
    ataseff@gmail.com

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  24. Its a toss up between three of my favorite people here in Cleveland...Three Birds (Rachel), AMP 150(Ellis) or Blue Canyon (Brandt). So glad to see all these chefs and restaurants doing great things for a great cause.

    melissa@melissaburdick.com

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  25. Oh I missed the 12 deadline but I would love to see Brant and speak with him about how he plans to integrate his new restaurant opening at Public Square next to the new Tri-C Hospitality Center and the students learning there... A great opportunity for both I think...

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