Culinary Classic Raises over $112,000 to Help Local Cancer Patients

CHEF CHRISTIAN KRUSE NAMED CULINARY CUP WINNER AT 2nd ANNUAL CULINARY CLASSIC. OVER $112,000 RAISED FOR CANCER PATIENT SUPPORT FOUNDATION.

Chef Christian Kruse, Executive Chef of the Basin Harbor Club was named the Culinary Cup winner at the 2nd annual Culinary Classic to benefit the Cancer Patient Support Foundation (CPSF). The Culinary Classic featured 6 of the areas top chefs : Chef Donnell Collins of Leunig’s Bistro & Café, Chef David Hoene of Pauline’s Café, Chef Shawn Calley of the Burlington Country Club, Chef Narin Phanthakhot of Butch & Babe’s, Chef Kevin Sprouse of the Farmhouse, and Chef Christian Kruse of the Basin Harbor Club. Chef Christian’s winning dish was Vermont Creamery Chevre & beet root salad with goat cheese panna cotta, and pickled & roasted beets.

Over 350 people crowded UVM’s Davis Center for the culinary event of the year. Chef Narin Phanthakhot was named the People’s Choice for his green curry rubbed pork loin with gritty cornmeal cake, and coconut-squash puree with braised cabbage and apples.
The evening was marked by a number of emotional moments as cancer patients talked about the impact this local nonprofit had on their lives. Karen Newman, a recipient of CPSF’s Emergency Fund gave a rousing speech explaining “when you support this foundation you save lives.” Tim Kavanagh, the emcee, shared his journey with cancer and asked fellow cancer patients who have received support from CPSF to join him on stage where over $18,000 was raised in 10 minutes from donations from the audience.

The Culinary Classic was presented by NorthCountry Federal Credit Union.

The Culinary Classic benefits the Cancer Patient Support Foundation which is the only local nonprofit that provides financial support for cancer patients and their families throughout Vermont and Northern New York. For over 15 years the Cancer Patient Support Foundation has been supporting cancer patients and their families in a time of extraordinary need, by providing financial assistance, underwriting counseling services, and acting as a resource during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. 

---