Chefs' event raises nearly $60,000 for hunger

From left to right: Chefs Charlie Trotter, Julian Serrano, Guenter Seeger, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Patrick O'Connell toast a job well done

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The first Seeger's Five-Star Event to benefit the hunger organization Share Our Strength played to a sellout crowd at Seeger's restaurant in Atlanta.

"It was the first time five five-star chefs ever got together for such a small crowd," event spokeswoman Liz Lapidus said, adding that nearly $60,000 was raised Sunday to support the hunger-fighting efforts of Save Our Strength.

Some 70 guests who paid $500 each to attend enjoyed specialties by Chef Guenter Seeger as well as chefs Patrick O'Connell of The Inn at Little Washington; Julian Serrano of Picasso's; Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's; and Jean-Georges Vongerichten of New York's Jean-Georges, Vong and Jo Jo. All are James Beard Foundation award winners and noted restaurateurs.

"We're elated at the overwhelming response to this dinner from both sponsors and diners alike," said Seeger. "We are looking forward to ... many more successful events in the years to come."

Included on Sunday's menu were such mouth-watering creations as Seeger's Beet Borscht Gelee with Caviar, Serrano's Florida Stone Crab Salad with Apple Champagne Vinaigrette and O'Connell's Upside-down Pineapple Skillet Tart with Coconut. Other delicacies were sage-infused, covered in a red wine emulsion, poached or slow-baked in a mussel broth. Then there was a cheese course.

"It was so much fun," said Lapidus.

Seeger's event joins other chef-sponsored galas to benefit Share Our Strength, a Washington-based charity that fights hunger and poverty with a network of more than 1,000 organizations.

"We chose Share Our Strength because it is a strong, hands-on organization that can affect change," said Lapidus. "Fighting hunger is very important to Chef Seeger, as it is to the entire food community."

A similar chef-sponsored event held in Boston, Massachusetts, raised $50,000, she said, while a New York fund-raiser netted $175,000.

Seeger's
Share Our Strength
Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Charlie Trotter's

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