Cooking Up a Cure will return to Theater on the Lake on Sept. 24, bringing together Chicago-area chefs, breweries, wineries and distilleries to raise funds and awareness for scleroderma. The annual culinary fundraiser benefits the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago and is chaired by Chef Cleetus Friedman.
The event will take place at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, and feature food and beverage offerings from participating restaurants and producers, along with live music and a silent auction. Proceeds support the organization’s work related to scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
VIP admission is $225 and includes food and drinks, access to the silent auction, priority seating and entry to a VIP hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. featuring additional food and beverage offerings. General admission is $145 and includes food, drinks, live music and access to the silent auction. Valet parking is available for an additional charge.
The 2026 lineup includes:
Damien Casten of Candid Wines
Chef Paul Kahan of The Publican
Chef Sebastian White of The Evolved Network
Leigh Omilinsky of Daises
Chef Barry Sorkin of Smoque BBQ
Chef Esther Griego of Bittersweet
Michael Killmer of Aguasol Tequila
Carol Goldman of Carol’s Cookies
Stephanie Izard of Girl and the Goat
Chef Pat Sheerin of Cira
Chef Won Kim of Kimski
Chef Paul Virant of Gaijin
Carlos Cuarta of Diplomatico Rum
Chef Phillip Foss of EL Ideas
Chef Zach Engel of Galit
Chef Lawrence Letrero of Bayan Ko & Bayan Ko Diner
David Weeks of Life on Marz
Chocolatier Katherine Duncan of Katherine Anne Confections
Chef Chris Curren of The Graceful Ordinary
Chef Thomas Levitt of White Oak Gourmet
Mary Eder-McClure of Cafe Yaya
Eric Puffer of Sapporo
Margaret Pak of Thattu
Chef Gale Gand of Gale's Bread and Butter
Chefs Katie Wasieieweski and Aaron Patten of Pompette
Chef Dan Raskin of Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen
Before You Go
Cooking Up a Cure will return to Theater on the Lake on Sept. 24, bringing together Chicago-area chefs, breweries, wineries and distilleries to raise funds and awareness for scleroderma. The annual culinary fundraiser benefits the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago and is chaired by Chef Cleetus Friedman.
The event will take place at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, and feature food and beverage offerings from participating restaurants and producers, along with live music and a silent auction. Proceeds support the organization’s work related to scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
VIP admission is $225 and includes food and drinks, access to the silent auction, priority seating and entry to a VIP hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. featuring additional food and beverage offerings. General admission is $145 and includes food, drinks, live music and access to the silent auction. Valet parking is available for an additional charge.
The 2026 lineup includes:
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