Cooks Tour Events Raise Funds for Patient Services

By exportuser2

 

 

Honoree Anne-Marie Maddox, M.D., with
Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D.

Executive Chef Scott McGehee (middle right side) of Boulevard Bread Co. and ZAZA Fine Salad
and Wood Oven Pizza Co., and
John Beachboard of ZAZA serve
pizza and gelato at one of the homes
.

May 8, 2009 | Not even the threat of bad weather could dampen the enthusiasm at this year’s Cooks Tour events.

About 200 people turned out for the April 17 Cooks Tour Patrons’ Cocktail Buffet, while about 500 guests attended the tour of homes April 19. The events raised about $50,000 for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Maria Furcron and Jenny Moss Brungart were co-chairwomen.

Held at the home of Angela and Edward O. Moody, the Patrons’ Cocktail Buffet featured French-inspired delicacies by Executive Chef Lee Richardson of Ashley’s accompanied by Chicago-style piano entertainment.

This year’s honoree was Anne-Marie Maddox, M.D., director of research in the UAMS Division of Hematology/Oncology.

A native of Canada, Maddox is a widely recognized expert in hematology and oncology, with a special interest in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. She also serves as professor of medicine in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine.

Maddox’s career has been marked by teaching awards and selection to the Best Doctors in Arkansas list. She works closely with doctors pursuing fellowships in hematology/oncology and works closely with patients requiring chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

The Sunday afternoon tour of homes took place in the Sologne neighborhood of Little Rock’s Chenal Valley.

The event featured tours of four exquisite homes, along with samples of signature dishes from some of central Arkansas’ finest chefs.

The chefs and homes included were:

  • Scott McGehee, executive chef and owner of Boulevard Bread Company and ZAZA Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co, and John Beachboard, executive chef of ZAZA, at the home of Sherrie and Zsolt Sandor, M.D.
  • Mark Abernathy, executive chef and owner of Loca Luna and Bene Vita, at the home of Pat and David Mego, M.D.
  • Mike Selig, former owner and executive chef of Mike Selig’s Vermillion, at the home of Tam and David Ransom
  • Evette Brady, executive chef and owner of 1620, and Tim Morton, chef of 1620, at the home of Debbie and Keith G. Bennett

Cooks Tour was founded with a two-fold purpose: to raise funds to support research, patient care and education at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and to increase public awareness of cancer prevention. Monies raised by Cooks Tour 2009 will be used to fund projects benefiting cancer patients in Arkansas.

Presenting sponsors were Chenal Properties Inc. and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation. Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas donated wine and spirits for the Patron’s Cocktail Buffet and wines served at the homes on the tour.

The Cancer Institute Auxiliary has a membership of more than 500. About 100 volunteers provide day-to-day patient support services at the Cancer Institute, from making coffee in the waiting room to working in the gift shop and greeting patients.  About 300 additional volunteers donate time to special projects such as Cooks Tour and the Auxiliary’s other annual fundraising event, Partners Card.

For more information please visit http://cancer.uams.edu/