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Fund-raiser to benefit Lake County Meals on Wheels
HAWTHORN WOODS -- A fund-raiser with a culinary twist, hosted by WGN radio man, Garry Meier, will be held Aug. 25 to benefit the Lake County Meals on Wheels.
Catholic Charities second annual Culinary Classic at Hawthorn Woods Country Club will feature Meier as the master of ceremonies and music by the Harp Twins, featuring identical twins Camille and Kennerly Kitt, who trained classically but have a love and passion for playing rock, pop, metal, hip-hop, country, alternative and crossover genres.
“They’re marvelous. Beautiful twin girls and they play these electric harps. They play beautiful music,” said Jim Thompson, who is cochairing the event with Beth McElroy and Becky Vallorano.
Meier is know for his humor and sometimes biting commentary. “He’s Catholic and he became interested in helping us with the benefit. He’s a wonderful guy who really has his heart open to help people,” said Thompson.
The Culinary Classic has a distinctly flavorful twist in that many of the raffle prizes and auction items have to do with enjoying food. “A lot of the prizes are related to a restaurant theme,” said Beth McElroy.
There’s also an opportunity for a conversation with Ina Garten, known for her Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and her show on the Food Channel. There are restaurant packages for Sullivan’s in Lincolnshire and Cafe Pyrenees in Libertyville; cooking classes for two at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago and a wine tasting for 18 people hosted by Wines for Humanity in Elk Grove Village.
The grand raffle prize is a Napa Valley Wine Country Experience that includes airfare and a 3-night stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif. Tickets for that raffle are $50 each or three for $100.
McElroy said the country club is known for its good food, noting, “There will be filet mignon, stuffed chicken and three different desserts.”
The dinner is $160 per person and it begins at 6:30 p.m. at the country club, 1 Tournament Drive North, Hawthorn Woods. To buy tickets, become a sponsor or make a donation, call Mary Ellen Mason, associate director of development, at (847) 782-4115 or email mmason@catholiccharities.net.
