TEST
Best Bites Annual Fundraiser 2025 Raised $180,000!
That means more families will receive more resilience-building support, and have more fun, than ever.
By all accounts, Best Bites 2025 was a smashing success:
- High Impact Host Committee
- Record Number of Sponsors, Over Half of Which Were New to Bounce
- Beautiful Room with Breathtaking Views that Set the Stage for Success
- Amazing Emcee Who Brought Passion & Personality to our Event
- Talented Chefs Who Shared Delicious Bites
- Tasty Cocktails/Beer/Wine Fully Donated
- Bounce Parent Who Truly Conveyed The Need For, and Impact Of, Our Mission
- Happy Guests Who Were Moved to Step Up and Give Generously
A huge thanks to the chefs who competed in the Best Bites competition!
Steve Chiapetti
Executive Chef
The Albert
Jim Churches
Senior Corporate Executive Chef
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Greg Gaardbo
Owner & Executive Chef
Chicago Culinary Kitchen
Stephen Gillanders
Owner & Chef
S.K.Y. Restaurant Group
Nick Jirasek
Executive Chef
Meli Cafe
Giovanni Labbate
Owner & Executive Chef
Tievoli Pizza Bar
Seth Minton
Executive Chef
Signature
Patrick Wasserman
Executive Chef
Double Clutch
Bounce is glad to have Chicago's very own 'Food Guy', Steve Dolinsky as the EMCEE for Best Bites 2025.
- 13 James Beard Awards for TV, radio & podcast work
- Food Guy for NBC5, Thursdays at 10:00 pm
- 17 years as Hungry Hound on ABC7
- Co-Creator/Co-Host The Feed with Chef Rick Bayless
- 1 of 26 Academy Chairs for World’s 50 Best Restaurants
- Advisor to food focused real estate developers
- Featured Expert: Chicago Tribune; NPR's The World; Food & Wine Magazine; Classic in Aspen; NYC Wine & Food Fest
- Volunteer for Share Our Strength & Meals on Wheels
A huge thank you to our amazing event sponsors!
Distinguised Benefactor
Executive Chef Sponsor
Sous Chef Sponsors
Chef de Cuisine Sponsors
Chef De Partie Sponsors
Commis Chef Sponsors
Bar Sponsors
Thanks to Bacardi & Ilegal for Sharing Your Expertise
Thanks to the AV Sponsors
