EVENT RECAP: “CHEFS TO THE MAX” DINNER AT RX BOILER ROOM RAISES $275,799 FOR LOCAL FOOD CRITIC MAX JACOBSON
Last night, Sunday, January 19, a group of the country’s most acclaimed chefs collaborated on the first “Chefs to the Max” dinner at Chef Rick Moonen’s Rx Boiler Room inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place and raised a total of $275,799. The dinner was the first of a series to benefit critically injured Las Vegas-based food journalist Max Jacobson. The event featured a cocktail reception, sit-down seven-course dinner with wine pairing, as well as a live and silent auction for 100 guests. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Jacobson directly to help pay for mounting medical bills as a result of the accident.
Chefs in attendance included Megan Bringas, Kim Canteenwalla, Shirley Chung, John Church, Saipin Chutima, Barry Dakake, Susan Feniger, Bobby Flay, Hubert Keller, Thomas Keller, Rick Moonen, Grant MacPherson, Mary Sue Milliken, Bradley Ogden, Luciano Pellegrini, Vincent Pilon, Pino Posteraro, Vincent Pouessel, Joey Romano, Megan Romano, Angelo Sosa and David Walzog.
In addition, Rick Moonen challenged Bobby Flay to a “Kampachi Throwdown.” Moonen prepared a Chili Seared Kona Kampachi with avocado, ruby red grapefruit and yuzu butter sauce; and Flay prepared a Kona Kampachi with Korean red pepper-tangerine glaze with pickled Brussels sprout relish and squab egg. Guests voted and Rick Moonen was announced the winner.
Two days before Christmas 2013, Jacobson was struck by a car while in the crosswalk at Windmill Parkway and Pecos Road as he walked from home to the gym. He sustained severe brain trauma from the accident. He remains in critical condition at Kindred Healthcare.
Jacobson is currently Vegas Seven’s restaurant reviewer. Prior to that, he covered Orange County for the Los Angeles Times for 15 years. He moved to Las Vegas in 1999 to be the lead critic for Las Vegas Life. He has also written for numerous national culinary publications including Saveur and Gourmet. Jacobson recently co-authored “Eating Las Vegas” with fellow food critics Al Mancini and John Curtas.
For more information about the “Chefs to the Max” dinner series, go to www.Facebook.com/ChefstotheMax.
