Chopped for Charity
By all accounts Open Table’s Chopped for Charity fundraiser in celebration of 30thanniversary of service to the local community was a huge success. The event was held on Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Thoreau Center in Concord. An enthusiastic, sold-out crowd of close to 200 people enjoyed an evening of cooking and cookie decorating competitions, auctions, live music, delicious food and beverages, and other fun.
Thank you to all who attended, participated, and supported the event. As we celebrated our history of caring and compassion, and highlighted our esteemed community partnerships, we surpassed our goal of raising $30,000 earmarked for future programming. We couldn’t have done it without your generous spirit.
Missed out or want to relive the fun? The event live stream was captured, and photos and the beautiful program are available here. The party isn’t over yet – we have several other birthday activities planned for the year; stay tuned for more details. And, as always, we welcome your donations in support of our mission to address hunger in our local community by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment while respecting the dignity of those served.
Or please consider a donation in support of our 30th year!
Thank You for Your Support
We were so very pleased to be able to honor Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Kate Hogan for their ongoing support of Open Table.
Jamie Eldridge has served as State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester district since January 2009 and currently serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Judiciary. Jamie Eldridge is known as a leader on progressive issues and has filed bills aimed at increasing affordable housing options, making health care a right and eliminating poverty. Senator Eldridge advocates for increased funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program in the state budget, which helps food pantries across the Commonwealth. He also secured state funding that helped Open Table increase its capacity and presented a citation from the Senate celebrating Open Table’s 30th anniversary.
Representative Kate Hogan is currently in her sixth term as State Representative for the Third Middlesex District, which includes the towns of Maynard, Hudson, Bolton, and Stow. Recently named the First Division Floor Leader, a member of Speaker DeLeo’s team, she works as a bridge between House leadership and members to tackle the state’s big issues. During her past two terms, Representative Hogan served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and a co-chair of the Elder Caucus, where she was instrumental in shepherding landmark public health legislation into law. She also presented a citation celebrating Open Table’s 30th year.
Additional special guests included State Senator Michael Barrett, State Representative Tami Gouveia, Maynard Selectman Chris DeSilva, Maynard Town Manager Greg Johnson, Former Maynard Selectman Terrence Donovan, former Open Table Board members, and representatives from our wonderful sponsors. Of course, everyone who attended was special to Open Table!
And the Winners Are...
Chopped Cooking Round
1st Prize of dinner for 6 at Forge and Vineand wine and champagne from OMNI Properties
- First Place: Gaining Ground “Popcorn Sandwich”
Using the mystery ingredients of Tumeric root and Figs, they made turmeric rice, fish sautéed with figs, all served with a curry/coconut sauce - Second Place: Concord Police Department “Locked Up”
Locked in second place with “The Criminal Cod Fillet”, which used the kettle corn and date syrup mystery ingredients - Third Place: Minute Man Arc “MMAwsome”
Used the mystery ingredients of hemp hearts and sweet potatoes to make a crust for the cod and side dish of sweet potatoes with apricot glaze.
Cookie Decorating Round
1st Prize of Grazing Platterboardsappetizer boards and Farfalle’s gift baskets.
- First Place: Concord Fire Department “Fire and Icing”
Roared into first place with their house on fire with picnic table - Second Place: Maynard Cookbook Club “Tough Cookies”
Toughing it out in nature with a “Camp Open Table theme” - Third Place: Fenn School “Fenn Foodies”
Presented a welcoming table at Open Table - Fourth Place: The Concord Rotary Club “Rotary Cookie Monsters”
A monster cookie house creation!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
PLATINUM SPONSORS
CELEBRITY CHEF SPONSORS
GRAND TASTING SPONSORS
SUPPORTERS
Harriet & David Kaufmann
Join the fun and become a sponsor! Learn more here or contact Deena Whitfield at [email protected]
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
And Thank You to the Amazing Chopped for Charity Team!
Planning Committee
Event Coordinator | Alannah Gustavson
Program Director | Norma Frye
Venue & Food Donations | Jennifer Clarke
Communications/PR | Linda Holt
Ticket Sales & Food Service | Judy Kronwasser
Teams & Program Book Design | Elizabeth Stasior
And many thanks to our wonderful volunteers for helping make this evening possible!
Get Excited! Here’s a preview of some of the FUN at the Event!
