Scene managed to catch up with legendary chef Wolfgang Puck, who was in Cleveland over the weekend to host the biennial Five Star Sensation event. Since he started the fundraiser way back in 1987, it has raised more than $16 million for University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
“The first time I went to the children’s cancer clinic at University Hospital I knew we had to help them,” Puck explains. “This is such a great event. Chefs from all over the country come to help Cleveland get together to help their own hospital.”
At the moment, Puck was at Cleveland Browns Stadium’s massive kitchens to meet and greet the dozens of participating chefs, who flew in from across the globe to donate their time and effort. The chefs used the Brown’s culinary facility to prep for last Saturday’s event, which sold out as usual and entertained thousands.
Puck says he will continue hosting this star-studded fundraiser in part because of the guests who support it. “Everyone is so appreciative and they appreciate all the chefs.”
As for where the godfather of celebrity chefs likes to dine while in Cleveland, he quickly answered “Lola!”
This article appears in Jun 12-18, 2013.
I’m always glad to hear when celebrities lend their names and time to an event for a good cause.