Wednesday, February 9, 2011

World Festival 2011 Chefs!!

We are so lucky to have such AMAZING chefs that participate in our World Festival this year!! Drum roll please...

Jimmy Bannos, Jr., The Purple Pig; Jimmy Bannos, Sr., Heaven on Seven; Frank Brunacci, Sixteen at Trump Tower International; David Burke & Rick Gresh, David Burke’s Primehouse; Domenica Catelli, Momalicious; Christine Cikowski & Josh Kulp, Sunday Dinner; Chris Curren, Blue 13; Graham Elliot Bowles & Merlin Verrier, Graham Elliot ; Curtis Duffy Avenues at The Peninsula Chicago; David Dworshak, Carnivale; Patrick Fahy, Blackbird; Paul Fehribach, Big Jones; Meg Galus, Sofitel; Troy Graves, Supreme Lobster; Koren Grieveson, avec; Jason Hammel & Lea Tshilds, Lula Café & Nightwood; Roger Herring & David Gollan, Socca and Redd Herring; Kevin Hickey, Seasons; Brian Huston, The Publican; Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat; Harold Jurado, Chizakaya, Paul Kahan & David Posey, Blackbird; Bill Kim, Urban Belly and Belly Shack; Edward Kim, Ruxbin; Peter Klein, Seedling; Sarah Kosikowski, Sixteen at Trump Tower International; Gilbert Langlois, Chalkboard; Justin Large, Big Star; Ryan LaRoche, NoMI; Rob & Allie Levitt, The Butcher and Larder; Sarah Levy, Sarah’s Pastries & Candies; Anita Lo, Annisa Restaurant; Colin Lynch, Menton; Rod Markus, Rare Tea Cellars; Steve McDonagh & Dan Smith, Hearty; Jason McLeod, Balsan at The Elysian Hotel; Chris Nugent, Les Nomades; Jessica Oloroso, Black Dog Gelato; Chris Pandel, The Bristol; Mark Payne, deca Restaurant and Bar; Nicole Pederson, C-House; Ryan Poli, Perennial; Bill Reynolds, Sikia; Toni Roberts, C-House; Patricio Sandoval, Mercadito; Mario Santiago, May St Café; Adam Seger, Hum Spirits; Patrick Sheerin, The Signature Room at the 95th; Art Smith & Rey Villalobos, TABLE fifty-two; Todd Stein, The Florentine; Kristine Subido, Wave ; Giuseppe Tentori & Carl Shelton, BOKA; Heather Terhune, Sable; Dan Tucker, SushiSamba; Jared Van Camp, Old Town Social;; Paul Virant, Vie; Scott Walton, Markethouse ; Daven Wardynski, 676 Restaurant & Bar; Carol Watson, Milk & Honey Café; Jared Wentworth, Longman & Eagle; Roy Yamaguchi, Roy’s; Shelley Young, The Chopping Block; Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia; Randy Zweiban, Province; and more…

THANK YOU, CHEFS!!!!!!

February Volunteer Spotlight--Diane Heffernan


Diane Heffernan says her favorite thing about volunteering is sharing her enthusiasm she has for food and cooking with kids. We can honestly tell you that our kids feel her enthusiasm every week. Diane has volunteered with Common Threads for the past 4 years. She has taught numerous kids how to mince, dice and sauté. She has “traveled” with them to Italy, China and Spain.

She feels strongly about educating kids about nutrition and diet and loves that Common Threads introduces the students to food from around the world. “What is created during class is a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, friendships, enthusiasm, laughter and “imprint” of healthy eating to share with their family and friends,” says Diane. We could not say it better ourselves.
Common Threads is beyond thankful for Diane’s support and dedication!