Great Chefs for Alex

The Great Chefs Event to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer was a resounding success on Wednesday evening. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement to find a cure for childhood cancer. Since Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004) set up her front-yard stand at the age of four, more than $25 million has been raised towards fulfilling her dream of finding a cure for all children with cancer.

Despite the inclement weather, over 600 guests enjoyed the tented area filled with gourmet food, wine and hospitality organized by Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin owners of Vetri and Osteria restaurants. Liz and Jay Scott, the parents of Alex, in an emotional speech thanked the crowd on behalf of their daughter for their outstanding support year after year in Philadelphia.

Via Travel Design was proud to contribute to the special auction event of the evening by offering a one week stay at Belriposo in September 2010 for 16 guests. The auction for the week in Tuscany electrified the audience until the bidding exceeded all expectations.

Participating nationally-known chefs:
Kiong Bahn, Twenty Manning, Philadelphia
Dan Barber & Josh Lawlor, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, New York
Franklin Becker, Abe & Arthur's, New York
Jonathan Benno, Per Se, New York
John Besh, Restaurant August/Besh Steak/Luke/La Provence, New Orleans
Chris Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco, Pane Bianco, Bar Bianco, Phoenix
Tom Colicchio, Host of Top Chef, Craft Restaurants
Bobby Flay, Food Network Star, Mesa Grill Restaurants
Clark Fraiser & Mark Gaier, Arrows/MC Perkins Cove/SummerWinter, Ogunquit, Maine
Neil Fraser, Grace, Los Angeles
Jose Garces, Amada /Tinto/Chilango/Distrito, Philadelphia
Suzanne Goin, Lucques/ A.O.C., Los Angeles
Paul Kahan, Blackbird/Avec, Chicago
Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and Bobby Stuckey, Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colorado
Joseph Manzare, Zuppa/Globe/Tres Agaves/Pescheria, San Francisco
Masaharu Morimoto, Food Network Star, Morimoto, Philadelphia
Jeff Michaud, Osteria, Philadelphia
Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Bros., Philadelphia
Luke Palladino, Ombra, Philadelphia opening Summer 2009
Eric Ripert & Jennifer Carroll, 10 Arts, Philadelphia
Marco Rossi, Osteria Le Cantine D, Bergamo, Italy
Bryan Sikora, Talula's Table Restaurant, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Michael Solomonov, Zahav, Philadelphia
Brad Spence, Vetri, Philadelphia
Daniel Stern, Gayle/ Rae Restaurant, Philadelphia
Michael Symon, Lola-Lolita, Cleveland/ Roast, Detriot
Sue Torres, Suenos, New York
Marc Vetri, Vetri/Osteria, Philadelphia
Rocco Whalen, Fahrenheit Restaurant, Cleveland