Greenwich Hospital Hosts 'Great Chefs' Preview At Stamford's Paloma

STAMFORD, Conn -- Greenwich Hospital's "Great Chefs" event, now in its 30th year, officially kicked off at Stamford's Paloma restaurant Tuesday night with celebrity chefs -- and honorees -- Aarón Sánchez (of Paloma and co-star of Food Network's "Chopped") and Debra Ponzek, co-owner of the Aux Délices gourmet prepared food stores in Darien, Greenwich, Riverside and Westport.

The two chefs (on far left, sitting and far right) with Greenwich Hospital officials, the co-chairs and other members of the planning committee.
Photo Credit: *Jeanne Muchnick*

Jeanne Muchnick

02/04/2015 5:00 a.m.

The fundraiser, which benefits the Wellness Programs of Community Health at Greenwich Hospital, will be March 6 at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y.

Gourmet food from a variety of local venues, including The Cask Republic, little pub, LobsterCraft, Red Bee Honey, The Capital Grille, Fortina, Back 40 Kitchen, Blue Tulip Chocolates and Douro Restaurant, among others, will be paired with creative drinks and fine wines supplied by area distributors.

There also will be live, silent and wine auction packages, along with music by Stolen Moments.

About 400 people are expected to attend the great event.

"Greenwich Hospital is blessed to have so many talented and creative individuals take time from their restaurants and businesses to support the health and well-being of the communities they serve," said Greenwich Hospital's interim president and CEO Norman Roth. "Their considerable contributions make 'Great Chefs' a wonderful evening of great food and fun."

"Our programs touch the lives of everyone from infants to the elderly," added Kathy Carley-Spanier, director of community health at the hospital. "Whether we are teaching new parents how to care for their infants, educating children at school health fairs or offering support groups to people suffering from chronic illness, we provide a critical link to healthier living."

She pointed out the hospital offers hundreds of outreach services and programs to residents of Fairfield County and Westchester County, N.Y.

"It's an honor to be selected for this award and to share the spotlight with Debra who I've long admired and respected," added Sánchez, who also is the host of the Cooking Channel’s "Taco Trip," as well as the star of FOX Life’s "3 Minutos con Aarón." He said being "home" in Connecticut was "like cooking at my mother's house."

"I'm very excited to be here and help Greenwich Hospital raise awareness and support for their community services."

For more information, visit https://giving.greenhosp.org/galas-and-benefits.

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