Warm Your Palate a smashing success!

The Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (IWSE) held its 3rd annual fundraising event, Warm Your Palate, on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Now We’re Cookin’ in Evanston, IL.    A Who’s Who of  local chefs took the crowd of more than 100 guests on a culinary excursion as they sampled signature appetizers and desserts.  The evening raised more than $27,000, which will support IWSE’s programs providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services for teen parents and low-income families with young children in the city of Evanston and the surrounding communities.   

Guests enjoyed Chilled Loberter Terrine with Saffron Crema, Lamb Barbacoa with wild mushrooms, chayote and couscous, and Risotto with Asparagus as well as panoply of pastries.  Participating chefs included Brian Huston, Chef de Cuisine of The Publican and an Evanston resident; Nicole Pederson of FOUND Kitchen & Social House; Eric Mansavage from Farmhouse Evanston; David Perlick of Terra American Bistro; Marcos Ramos & Hilario Vilchis of La Macchina Café; Armando Gonzalez from Libertad; and D’Andre Carter & Heather Bublick, the masterminds behind Feast & Imbibe.  The opulent sweet table was from Pastry Chef and Evanston resident Dia Walsh.  Temperance Beer Company provided tastings of their craft brews.

A five-night stay at the Radisson Resort, Casino and Spa in Aruba was the live auction’s top prize, selling for $3,000, and 5-course gourmet Thai dinner for 8 in the Chef’s garden was also hotly contested, going for $1,100. Other live auction prizes included a Girl’s Night Out package, with a private Barre class for 25 at Pure Barre Evanston and dinner for 4 at Oceanique.  

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston would like to thank our sponsors, First Bank & Trust, Cheryl Rohlfs & Associates, Peter & Carolyn Mattox, Ward Manufacturing, Temperance Beer Company, and Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits for helping to underwrite the evening, as well as Joseph Leigh Designs for providing the décor.

To learn more about the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, visit our web site at www.iwse.org