The food parade returned after a three-year hiatus, and the donations poured in for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) Foundation.
Due to the pandemic, the Parade of Chefs had three years off, but it returned with savoury fun, food and fundraising Sept. 28, delivering $192,000 for the foundation.
The Chatham Armoury played host to 350 guests, who were treated to A Royal Affair with Local Flair.
The Celebrity Host for the evening was Chef Darren McGrady, who previously served as the personal chef for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; Diana, Princess of Wales; and Princes William and Harry for 15 years.
McGrady captivated the crowd with an array of first-hand stories, insights and anecdotes about his time spent with the royal family, while also curating the evening’s five-course royal menu.
The evening also featured a distinctly local flavour, with each course prepared by chefs from different local restaurants, made from locally sourced ingredients, and paired with a wide variety of beverages donated by local wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
Proceeds from the event will support the purchase of an Ortho Vision swift analyzer for the laboratory transfusion medicine department at CKHA. This piece of equipment will help automate a wide variety of blood tests, allowing the lab to provide safe and compatible blood for patients more efficiently, while reducing turnaround times for these important tests.
