Cuisine for a Cause features new martini luge

Posted March 28, 2016 11:00 pm

By Angela Bender Naperville CARES

Naperville CARES' 13th annual Cuisine for a Cause fundraiser will feature tastings from more than 20 of Naperville's best restaurants, as well as a new Martini Luge and Whiskey Tasting.

The event will be from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Navistar corporate headquarters, 2601 Navistar Lane, Lisle.

"Cuisine for a Cause is a fun, lively evening where 500 guests gather with their friends to enjoy one of Naperville's largest cocktail parties to benefit the programs of Naperville CARES," said Naperville CARES' Executive Director Janet Derrick.

Since it began in 2004, Cuisine for a Cause has raised more than $1.35 million for the group's programs.

Along with samples of the restaurants' signature dishes, Cuisine for a Cause will feature an open bar, wine, beer and whiskey tasting, martini luge and auctions.

Bart Darfler of Darfler Benefit Auctions and Consulting will bring his unique style to the event. Mobile bidding will let guests browse the silent auction, place bids and pay for items all straight from their mobile phones.

Visit www.napervillecares.org for a complete list of restaurants in attendance, sponsors, as well as how to register for mobile bidding.

Individual reservations for Cuisine for a Cause are offered for open seating at $110 per person or $150 for reserved seating. The price includes food and drink (including the Martini Luge and Whiskey Tasting) and can be purchased online at www.napervillecares.org or by calling the CARES office at (630) 369-0200.

Event sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and include reserved seating. Anyone interested in participating in Cuisine for a Cause as a sponsor may contact Janet Derrick at (630) 369-0200 or email volunteer@napervillecares.org. Those interested in donating auction items may call Shannon Bachara at (847) 961-8762 or email Cuisineforacause@outlook.com.

Headquartered in Naperville since 1999, Naperville CARES is where the community comes together to ensure neighbors have access to resources to meet their essential needs. The CARES Emergency Assistance Program, which provides emergency financial assistance to pay for basic needs like rent and utilities, is a model for preventing homelessness in our community.

The goal of the CARES Car Program is to help individuals maintain employment by providing reliable transportation by either providing a client with a donated vehicle or repairing client owned vehicles.