Celebrity Chefs to Cook for a Cure in Simsbury

When Justin and Jennifer Grady approached a friend about participating in a fundraiser for Cystic Fybrosis research they couldn't have imagined what her contribution would be.

Last year, the Grady family organized their first silent auction to raise money for a cause near to their hearts. Their 4-year-old son Clark was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic and chronic lung disease. To help Clark and others with the disease, the Grady family formed Team Superman and began participating in annual fundraising events.

When it came time to organize their second annual silent auction, the Gradys asked friend Kelleanne Jones, who owns The Mill at 2T in Tariffville with her husband Ryan, if she wanted to contribute to the auction. Instead, Jones suggested a different way that she could help Team Superman raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

"To me it's very unique and awe inspiring," Justin Grady said.

Jones offered to organize a local celebrity chef dining event at The Mill at 2T on May 20. The event will feature Tyler Anderson, executive chef of Millwright’s Restaurant and 2009 winner of the Food Network series Chopped; Billy Grant, co-owner and executive chef of award winning Grant’s, Bricco’s, and Bricco Trattoria; renowned chef Noel Jones, formerly of ON20 and the Copper Beach Inn; and Ryan Jones, 2012 Chef of the Year by the CT Restaurant Association, co-owner and executive chef at the Mill at 2T.

Each chef will present a course for the five-course dinner which includes handpicked wine pairings to match.

"These are some of the top chefs in Connecticut and you know they're pretty busy. The fact that they are doing this—You just don't find that everyday," Grady said.

The best part is that the chefs will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the event to CFF.

While Jones and her husband have organized this type of fundraiser in the past, this one has special meaning.

"To do it as a surprise for someone, it's just awesome. It's good to give, especially when it goes to help kids," Jones said.

The menu for the event is not yet complete, but Jones said attendees should not worry, it will be amazing.

"The guests just love it. We all just get together and cook. The restaurant is so small and intimate and you get to watch the chefs in action," Jones said.

The event will be held on Monday, May 20th, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 each and 100 percent of the money raised will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Seats are extremely limited; only 50 spots available. To reserve a seat contact Jennifer at 860-794-1192.