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Chopped for Charity 2024

Open Table's Chopped for Charity logo

Join us at Chopped for Charity 2024, Open Table’s annual gala and cooking competition. TV and radio personality Chef Joe Gatto returns as our Master of Ceremonies!

DATE: Friday, May 3, 2024
TIME: VIP Reception 5:30pm; General Admission 6:00pm
VENUE: Nashawtuc Country Club, Concord

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Purchase Tickets

Can’t attend but want to support our mission and the event?

Donate to Chopped for Charity

Chopped for Charity 2024 will feature three professional chefs competing in a culinary showdown. The evening will include dinner, silent and live auctions, and engaging activities. Additionally, VIP ticket holders will be treated to a mixology competition featuring local bartenders competing to craft the perfect drink.

We are delighted to honor James Crosby and Crosby’s Marketplace for their many years of dedication and commitment to Open Table’s mission.

This year marks Open Table’s 35th Anniversary. Celebrate with us at Chopped for Charity and support our mission to end hunger in our local community by providing healthy food in ways that respect the dignity and diversity of those served.

The festivities start in:

Until then, check out the photos, video, and results from last year’s event:

VIP Reception and Mixology Competition

Cocktail ingredients

Purchase VIP tickets and upgrade your night! Meet the chefs, peek behind the scenes, and experience a mixology competition.

VIPs will enjoy:

  • A private cocktail reception with Chopped for Charity competitors (reception starts at 5:30pm)
  • Mixology competition featuring local bartenders competing to craft the perfect drink
  • Preferred seating at the main event
  • Complimentary cocktail
  • Swag bag, including items from mixology sponsor, Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Your VIP ticket purchase will provide additional support for Open Table’s food programs and help spread even More Love, Less Hunger.

Mixology Competition Sample

The Competition - Meet the Chefs

Three acclaimed local chefs will take center kitchen as competitors at this year’s Chopped for Charity gala. The Chefs will compete in a fast-paced cooking challenge before an expert panel of judges. How will they use the secret ingredients and how will they handle the pressure? Can’t wait to find out!

Chef Viviana Acevedo

Chef Viviana Duque

Executive Chef and Owner
Panela Restaurant

Chef Viviana Duque is a distinguished Executive chef and owner of Panela Restaurant in Lowell, MA. Born and raised in Medellin Colombia, Chef Viviana embarked on a journey to the city of Lowell at the age of 15 where she has lived all her adult years. She is a Le Cordon Bleu alumna with a rich background in high-end restaurants. Fueled by passion and family support, Chef Viviana envisioned Panela as her dream of showcasing the diversity of Colombian cuisine inspired by various regions, all featuring panela as a key ingredient.

Chef Jon Gilman

Chef Jonathan Gilman

Executive Chef
True West Brewery

Jonathan Gilman has been professionally cooking creative comfort foods in a scratch kitchen for over 15 years.  He began his career at the Cambridge Brewing Company in Cambridge, and went on to open his own restaurant, called Brato Brewhouse and Kitchen, in 2019.  After having some success, and winning a Best of Boston award in 2021, this endeavor eventually had to close due to financial constraints brought on through COVID.  Today, Jon lives near Acton and looks to make an impact on his new community in his role as Executive Chef at True West Brewing Company.

Chef Jason Jernigan

Chef Jason Jernigan

Chef Owner, Chef Style Boston
Svenfish Chef Collaborator

Born in Portsmouth, VA, Chef Jason Jernigan’s culinary passion ignited from simple family meals and seasonal gardening with his parents and grandparents. After completing his Air Force service and working in the field of microbiology, he completed his formal training at Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and Boston University, eventually finding his full passion in Mediterranean flavors. As a private chef and consultant, he shares his passion through immersive classes and innovative menus, blending tradition with innovation. He believes in the power of food to unite and heal, striving for perfection and meaningful connections.

The Judges

Sarah Blackburn

Sarah Blackburn

Publisher
Edible Boston and Edible Worcester

Sarah is the editor-in-chief, co-owner and publisher of Edible Boston and Edible Worcester. With extensive knowledge of the local food community, Sarah has a deep interest in sustainable living, kitchen gardening and home cooking and sharing her passion for both. She lives in Wayland with her husband, two teenagers, and a rambunctious bird dog. 

Jeanine Calabria

Jeanine Calabria

Author, Former Open Table Executive Director
The Taste of Stories: Cornfields and Olive Groves, a Family Heritage Cookbook

Jeanine Calabria has extensive non-profit leadership experience – most recently as the Executive Director of Open Table. She is professionally trained in intercultural management and has a deep passion for cooking that brings all people to the table. Jeanine started her career working as a pastry chef at a French restaurant only to find herself again in the kitchen while at the helm for more than a decade at Open Table. Jeanine has recently combined her writing and cooking skills in her personal life to publish a memoir cookbook, The Taste of Stories. Food relief has been her focus in the recent past, but the common theme throughout her career has been welcoming and assisting culturally diverse populations to have the most successful transition possible.

Who Could it Be?

You

Auction Winner

Three food experts will be seated at the judges’ table – and one of them could be YOU! Before the competition heats up, we will be auctioning off a judgeship. One lucky winner will have the opportunity to taste the chefs’ creations and cast their vote. If you’ve always wanted to show off your tasting skills and critique top chefs, get ready to bid on this highly coveted spot!

The Master of Ceremonies

Chef Joe Gatto

Chef, TV Host
Chef Joe Gatto

Chef Joe Gatto is a charismatic culinary expert who hosts the popular cooking show “From Scratch” on Pluto TV. He is a well-known private chef who serves A-list clients, including Celtics and Red Sox players. His NPR cooking segment, which airs monthly, has garnered a loyal fanbase, as has his national cookbook, “Seriously From Scratch.” Chef Joe is acclaimed for his immense passion for cooking, outstanding culinary creations, and his ability to bring people together with food and humor.

Honoring

Jim Crosby of Crosby's Market

James Crosby and Crosby's Marketplace

Jim Crosby worked his way through Northeastern University on the 5-year co-op plan with the Star Market Company. After graduation, he was promoted to Store Manager, Grocery Merchandiser, Seafood/Deli Merchandiser, Employment Manger and ultimately Director of Operations for 31 stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Later, Jim earned a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Babson College.

In 1980, Star Market sold off its smaller locations, including the Concord store on Lowell Road, which Jim and his wife Pat purchased. In 1997, Stop & Shop decided to leave Concord, and that presented the opportunity to better serve the community with a larger facility. Today Crosby’s operates 7 locations: Concord, Georgetown, Hamilton, Salem, Marblehead, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Henry’s Fine Foods in Beverly. Crosby’s employs an excellent staff of 525 people, 20% of which have 10 years or more of service with the company.

Under Jim’s direction, the company has always been involved in the fight against food insecurity. In addition to their support of Open Table, Crosby’s works with Lifebridge in Salem, Beverly Bootstraps, and the Greater Boston Food Bank. Jim has expressed his commitment to helping those in need: “It’s hard to believe that so many people go to bed hungry in a country like this, it’s incredible. Especially children.” For decades of community service, Jim was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters for Philanthropy from Salem State University in 2011.

Jim was married to Pat, his high school sweetheart and love of his life, for 58 years. Pat passed away in 2022 of Alzheimer’s. They were blessed with 5 children and 10 grandchildren. All of their children worked in the business at one time or another. Today his son Chris is the President and CEO, and his daughter Terri is a Store Manager.

Be a Part of the Program

Become a Sponsor

Join us in our mission to alleviate hunger in our community by sponsoring the event. Several sponsorship levels are available. Learn more on our Sponsorship page, or by contacting Jonathan Magasanik, at jmagasanik@opentable.org

Chopped for Charity Program Book sample

Purchase an Ad

By placing in ad in our color program you can let the community know that you are part of Open Table’s mission to provide healthy food, friendship, and support to those in need.

Get Ready to Bid to Be a Judge

Missed your chance and always wanted to be a food critic? Additional judgeships will be auctioned off during the event – so get ready to bid! And let’s get Chopping!

Thank You To Our Donors and Supporters

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