Dunning’s Market in Flossmoor will host its 2nd Annual Battle of the Chefs event July 9.
Maureen Mader, owner of Dunning’s, is passionate about supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and is again making this gastronomic event not just about the food, but a fundraiser supporting the iCanDream Center in Tinley Park. The organization’s mission is to provide life skills and support for young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.
The Battle of the Chefs is a cooking competition similar to the structure of the Food Network’s “Chopped” reality show.
“It’s a Chopped-style competition between the Dunning’s Market team and the 3v3 team headed up by Chef Jerome Browne with seven mystery ingredients that are not revealed until just before the competition. All the ingredients must be incorporated into the dish and we have 45 minutes to do so,” Mader said.
“The dishes are then presented to a judging panel of five judges who vote on who will be the champion. In addition to this, both teams do two heavy appetizers for the guests to enjoy along with the signature cocktail. We have an emcee, a band, the cooking competition and a DJ for the after party following the competition,” she explained.
Mother Nature wasn’t very cooperative for last year’s event, but despite a period of heavy rain, the event was well-attended and it brought in an impressive amount of funds. “We had over 180 people there and everyone stayed despite the pouring rain. We raised almost $20,000,” said Mader. “It’s held outside in front of Dunnings Market and I’m not taking any chances this year – we will have a tent.” The party starts at 4 p.m.
As the mother of a son with autism, the cause is one that is close to her heart.
“In the U.S. every year autistic children who are verbal and nonverbal wander off and are never found. And if they are found it it’s usually catastrophic,” Mader said. After hearing about an unfortunate event last year involving a child with autism in Hammond, Mader started thinking about how little awareness there is surrounding autism and tools that can help create a better outcome like a GPS tracking device for kids with autism called Angel Sense.
The wheels started turning as she thought about ways she may be able to help bring awareness to the general public about autism and the many challenges that kids and parents touched by autism face.
“I happened to win a dinner with Chef Jerome Brown from a raffle ticket I bought from Evisha Ford, who runs the iCan Dream Center. I called Evisha and told her I would like to do a fundraiser to benefit her school and maybe she could ask Chef Jerome Brown if they wanted to do a competition. He and two other chefs, Chef Dre and Chef Ricky, do this thing and that’s my three versus three,” Mader explained.
“I have four sisters and we all cook so I thought it would be fun to do a competition in which we challenge them and the money we raise goes to the iCan Dream Center. As serendipity would have it, I literally ran into Chef Brown in Washington, D.C. where he told me he would commit to the fundraiser.”
Soon plans were put into motion for the inaugural event and Mader is happy that the three chefs are returning this year to participate.
“This event is important to me personally because I’ve been there. I get it. I understand how difficult it can be for parents and children with autism,” Mader said. “I also understand how expensive the programming is and if I can do anything to make it easier for somebody then that’s what I would like to do. I was lucky enough to have people to pave the way for me and I feel like it’s my calling to pay that forward.”
Chef Brown has cooked for a number of celebrities and dignitaries, including Shaquille O’Neal and the late Secretary of State Colin Powell. Brown is an author of two books on Southern cuisine and has been featured on the Food Network.
Mader said that for the $60 event ticket, guests can expect a delicious experience with tasting bites prepared by each team, signature cocktails, live music from Return 2 Soul and the cooking competition presented by emcee Phil Lee with Tony Fields of The Conservatory Vinyl and Vintage as DJ for the after party. Among the guest judges will be Val Warner of ABC7’s Windy City Live daytime talk show.
“The evening is light and fun and then after you sample the delicious food and have some cocktails, we will have the cooking competition. After that 45 minutes we roll right to our after party. But the competition is real!” said Mader. “You get to hang out with your neighbors, listen to some great music, be outside on a beautiful night and support an amazing cause.”
Mader said she is very grateful for the community support and the help of the village.
“The village has been absolutely amazing. They are very supportive every step of the way and I really appreciate it,” she said. She has upped the fundraising goal this year to $40,000.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dunnings-market-battle-of-the-chefs-a-competition-for-a-cause-tickets-333748850797. Mader’s also seeking sponsorships for the Battle of the Chefs competition. Those interested in donating or becoming a sponsor can reach out to Mader at Dunning’s Market at 708- 799-5151.