Wheeling Health Right Gears Up for Annual Chef’s Auction

Before they serve up their specialty dishes at Wheeling Health Right's Chef's Auction, local chefs and restaurateurs kicked off the fundraiser on Thursday with breakfast at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

The 28th Annual Chef's Auction will be held on May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. The proceeds for the event will go towards the Wheeling Health Right, which helps cover medical services for underprivileged residents.

At the auction, local chefs and restaurateurs will serve up the best dishes they have to offer, competing in the categories of Best Food, Best Decoration and People's Choice.

"The setup is not like the chefs are handing out little souffle cups," said Wheeling Health Right Executive Director Kathie Brown. "There will be massive amounts of food, so if you don't get full, it's your own fault."

The theme for this year's Chef's Auction is "Back to the Beach." Chefs will base their dishes on the theme on top of serving some classic menu items. Brown encourages restaurateurs and attendees to don their best Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses for the event.

"We've done the beach theme before, and it's very popular because people can dress in beach clothes and just have a really relaxed evening," said Brown. "This year we’re planning to have some fire and hula dancers for entertainment to tie the theme together."

The event also features a silent auction of 25 items that includes trips to Disney and Myrtle Beach. In addition to the silent auction, there will be a $10 wine pull, a caricature artist and a selfie station.

At Thursday's kickoff event, chefs and restaurant owners gathered to discuss what dishes they could prepare and where their tables would be placed.

Generations Restaurant & Pub General Managers Luke and John Duplaga brainstormed at the breakfast what specialty dishes they would peddle to fit this year's beach theme. To fit last year's "Yellowstone" theme, Generations served up pork rinds at the auction.

While the Duplagas were still planning what dishes they'd be serving this year, Luke Duplaga had already decided on his outfit for the fundraiser - swim trunks.

"Every restaurant does something different from their regular menu, so it was all really interesting to try everything out last year," said Luke Duplaga. "I'm interested to see this year's beach outfits too because last year's Yellowstone outfits were pretty good."

Kirke's Homemade Ice Cream Owners Judy and Kirke Porterfield had decided to stick to their guns and serve their ice cream at the auction. Kirke Porterfield teased they would bring many of their classic flavors, with Judy Porterfield planning to make some food items such as cookies to serve alongside their ice cream.

"Our ice cream already fits the theme pretty well," noted Kirke Porterfield. "This event is a lot of fun, we just bring out ice cream and visit all these restaurants. It's a really good time."

Auctioneer Jim Frio, who has run the auction at the event since its inception, noted that the ceremony was not only fun but for a good cause as well.

"All the proceeds go towards working-class people who for some reason or another don't have health insurance," explained Frio. "The scariest thing in the world is when you have a health problem, and you don't have any insurance."

Brown noted that all proceeds from the event would go towards the organization's general operating expenses, meaning "every penny" raised would go towards patient care.

"It's an opportunity to show the community what we do and raise money to fulfill our mission," said Brown. "We had a great response from the community at last year's auction and it's been great to see how they embrace us."

Chefs and restaurants participating include Chef & Company, Generations Pub & Restaurant, Golden Chopsticks, Kirke's Homemade Ice Cream, Mehlman's Cafeteria, Pickles Eatery & Bar, Texas Roadhouse, The Jakery, Pike 40, Unique Treats by Jacquie, Valley Cheese, the Wheeling Coffee Shop, the Wheeling Country Club, Wheeling Island Hotel Casino & Racetrack, Oglebay Resort and Chef Rocco Basil.

To purchase tickets, call the Wheeling Health Right at 304-233-9323 or visit wheelinghealthright.com.