PQM Hosting Pilot Light Benefit Dinner
A lot of chefs and educators talk about the need to educate kids and get them eating right. Pilot Light actually does something about it. The nonprofit organization empowers children to make healthy choices, by integrating culinary education with school standards, curriculum and culture. Now you can help too. They’re having a Back to School Block Party next Friday, October 4th, featuring some of Chicago’s best chefs.
Inspired by Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move, Chefs Move to Schools’ campaign, Pilot Light enlists the city’s top chefs and Chicago Public Schools teachers to incorporate culinary education and nutrition into existing core curricula. At Pilot Light’s incubator program at the Disney II Magnet School, chefs and teachers collaborate to develop lesson plans and facilitate thoughtful discussion about food as it relates to literacy, math, social studies and science. Sample lessons include ‘Access to Food as a Civil Right’ (4th grade social studies), and ’Noodles to Neighborhoods’ – teaching cultural diversity through pasta (3rd grade social studies). Classroom discussions culminate in a healthy, chef-produced lunch.
Their first annual fundraiser takes place at Publican Quality Meats (825 W. Fulton Market) on Friday, October 4th at 6 p.m. Pilot Light chefs will be cooking up a very special evening featuring innovative food and drink. The night will include a DJ, as well as a silent and live auction. Tickets are available for $175 at pilotlightchefs.brownpapertickets.com.
Participating chefs and culinary professionals include:
- Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp (Sunday Dinner Club, Honey Butter Fried Chicken)
- Jon DuBois (Green Zebra)
- Jason Hammel (Lula Café)
- Paula Haney and Allison Stout (Hoosier Mama Pie Company)
- Sandra Holl (Floriole)
- Paul Kahan and Justin Large (avec, The Publican)
- Charlie McKenna (Lillie’s Q)
- Matthias Merges (Yusho)
- Sarah Mispagel (Nightwood)
- Ryan Poli (Tavernita, Little Market Brasserie)
- John Vermiglio (Billy Sunday)
