I'll be spinning and posting this morning... if you care?

In the meantime... here's the info on a great event! I just hope there are no carbs!?



The culinary world's finest gather again to keep the name and spirit alive of their friend and colleague Steven Scher, who passed away in December of 2008. On July 13, 2009, an impressive roster of the country's most revered chefs roll up their sleeves to participate in a walk around tasting where guests will be able to sample signature delicacies and rub elbows with their favorite stars from the restaurant and food tv world.

All the participants have a special place in their hearts for the late restaurateur and are enthusiastic about raising funds to benefit the James Beard Foundation and the scholarship for aspiring restaurateurs that bears Steven Scher's name.

The evening will be filled with surprises as celebrities and luminaries from the restaurant world--many of whom have graciously donated dinner and other packages to the silent auction--drop by to personally support this most worthwhile cause. A live auction with unique and exciting offerings will also take place. Travel packages to Las Vegas and a NYC Wine and Food Festival package generously donated by Lee Brian Schrager, promise to get the crowd bidding. Other hot-ticket items include dinner prepared by a top chef in the home of the highest bidder and a coveted, rarely available table at Raos. Chefs for Scher will be the number one food event this summer, and we know Steve wouldn't have it any other way.

The event begins with a VIP hour at 6:30pm and general public from 7:30 to 10:30pm.

Live auction at 9pm; Silent Auction throughout the evening.

Per person ticket pricing is:
$225 for VIP
$150 for general admission
Any amount over $100 is 100% tax-deductible.

Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/68111
or by phone at: 1.800.838.3006.

A list of participating chefs is below. Please check back for additions and changes:

Host Chef Laurent Tourondel of BLT Restaurants
Chef Franklin Becker of Abe & Arthur's
Chef Ed Brown of Eighty-One
Chef Scott Conant of Scarpetta
Chef John DeLucie of The Waverly Inn
Chef Bobby Flay of Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, Bobby's Burger Palace
Chef John Fraser of Dovetail
Chef Alex Garcia of Calle Ocho
Chef Michael Bao Huynh of BarBao
Chef Stephen Kalt of Epicurean Concepts
Chef Elizabeth Katz of B.R. Guests Restaurants
Chef Marc Murphy of Landmarc
Chef Paul Liebrandt of Corton
Chef Nancy Olson of Gramercy Tavern
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten of Jean-Georges, Matsugen, Perry St, Spice Market...

with sommelier Jean-Luc Le Du of Le Du's wines

Notes
The Bowery Hotel is located in downtown Manhattan at 335 Bowery between E. 2nd & E. 3rd Sts. Entry to this event is to the right of the hotel main entrance.

If you cannot attend Chefs for Scher but would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Restaurateurs please call the James Beard Foundation at 212.675.4984 and ask to be connected to Special Giving. Make sure to mention the scholarship name when making your donation.

For donations by mail, make your checks payable to the James Beard Foundation and write "Chefs for Scher" in the notes. Remember to include your telephone number and/or email address. Contributions and all correspondence can be mailed to:

Chefs for Scher
P.O. Box 21096
Brooklyn, NY 11202-1096

Tickets & Donations are non-refundable.