Portland, October 25th. Reigning chef, Rick Widmayer of The Screen Door restaurant, held his title as Portland’s Iron Chef. Chloe Houser from PDX TV was the emcee at a benefit for the Children’s Relief Nursery, now a program of LifeWorks NW. In July, Children’s Relief Nursery became a program of LifeWorks NW, a non-profit dedicated to building healthy community through prevention, mental health, and addiction services across the lifespan.
Bidders supported LifeWorks NW’s work addressing Mental Health & Addiction Services for a Healthy Community
All 5 competing chefs: Ben Shaw from Simpatica; Jill Ramseier from Deschutes Brewery; Gavin Ledson from Jamison; Rick Widmayer from The Screen Door; and Laura Rhoman from Slappy cakes
Ben Shaw from Simpatica
Laura Rhoman from Slappy Cakes
talking to the auctioneer, Graham Crow
Guests at the standing room only event were the judges, after getting a chance to meet and talk with the chefs and tasting their delicious “autumn themed” appetizers. The event raised $60,000. The evening also included a highly successful silent and live auction as well as dessert and a moving story from Children’s Relief Nursery client, mother, and grandmother, Michelle.
Jill Ramseier from Deschutes Brewery
“The event was an amazing success for Children’s Relief Nursery and the families. We are so thankful to all of the night’s participants, chefs, volunteers for their support of this important program,” said Mary Monnat, President/CEO of LifeWorks NW. “This is a newer event for us, with the Nursery program joining us in July, and the appetizer competition was stiff. We thank each and every chef and restaurant for their participation and congratulate Chef Rick Widmayer and The Screen Door on retaining the title of Portland’s Original Iron Chef.”
Children’s Relief Nursery is dedicated to keeping children safe and families strong. For over a decade, it has worked with at-risk families for child abuse and neglect, incorporating wrap-around services that include parenting education, therapeutic classrooms for children, respite childcare, mental health therapy, and home visits. Children’s Relief Nursery builds healthy relationships between parents and their children and works with infants and toddlers up to age four as early intervention in the first years of life is critical to a child’s future development.
Event sponsors included: NW Natural, The Standard, Fred Meyer, Providence Health Systems, and the University of Portand.
For more information about Children’s Relief Nursery, please go to www.lifeworksnw.org
