Culinarium, the 2016 iteration of our bi-annual fundraiser, was held on Monday, May 16 at Venue One Chicago in the West Loop. What a fun, fabulous and festive evening for the Dames! Co-Chairs Melissa Graham and Julie Ratowitz and their hard-working committee put on a spectacular display for members and their guests. Jugglers, fire-eaters, a carnival barker and games to thrill the senses (hosted by Dames Melissa Yen, Patty Erd and Malika Ameen) combined with party drinks and silent auction items for an inspiring start; a family-style dinner of carnival-inspired favorites; inspiring speeches from past culinary scholarship winners; live auction; and of course, the always-amazing Dessert Dash! We raised $50,000 this year for our scholarship and community outreach programs. Many thanks to our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and attendees.

Big Top ($2500+) Sponsors: Anonymous, H2Vino, Venue One Chicago; Table Sponsor ($2000): City Olive; Ringmaster Sponsors ($1,000): CH Distillery, Ornau Foods, Jo Snow Syrups, Make It Better, Dame Jeanne McInerney, The Spice House, Dame Carol Segal; Trapeze Artist ($500) Sponsors: DMK Restaurants, Dame Malika Ameen, Nielsen Massey Vanillas; Carousel ($250) Sponsors; Viola Foods, Vinic Wines

Beverage Sponsors: H2Vino, Regal Imports, CH Distillery, Temperance Beer Company, Jo Snow Syrups Food Sponsors: Convito Cafe & Market, The French Pastry School, The Chopping Block, The Entertaining Company, Dame Jenny Lewis, Venue One, Saigon Sisters, Don Juan’s, Fultonfishmarket.com, Found Kitchen & Social House, Goddess & Grocer, Dame Margaret Laport, Hewn Bread, House of Glunz, Irish Dairy Board

Photos courtesy of Rachel Brown Kulp.