Courtesy LoRusso's Cucina
When it was reported in late September that chef Rich LoRusso had been diagnosed with a rare form of ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, St. Louisans were shocked and saddened. LoRusso, who owns LoRusso’s Cucina (3121 Watson) with his wife, Terri, was diagnosed after experiencing debilitating symptoms for the past several years.
Almost immediately, a fundraiser, For The Love of The Chef, was organized on the LoRussos' behalf. The restaurant and dining community stepped up, offering their time, coursed dinners, wine, gift baskets, and several one-off items.
Courtesy LoRusso's Cucina
The resulting sold-out event is being held today, but there are still two ways that interested people can help out. Individuals can make cash contributions here (with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the LoRussos) or participate in today’s silent auction online here.
More than 160 items will be up for bid. Among them:
- Dinner for two at Tony’s
- Dinner for two at Tempus
- A chef’s table dinner for six at Edera
- An in-home dinner for six curated by Sidney Street Café
- A chef’s tasting dinner for eight from 1111 Mississippi
- A burger party for eight from 5 Star Burgers
- A Wine Down Wednesday party for eight at Oliva on the Hill
- A seafood boil for eight at The Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
- Dinner for 10 at Liliana’s Italian Kitchen
- Dinner for 10 in the wine cellar at Frank Papa’s Ristorante
- A Pappy’s pitmaster experience for two, including a behind-the-scenes tour and lunch
- A Done Making Masterclass for 10 with Jason Bockman of Strange Donuts
- A suite at a St. Louis Cardinals game for 18.
- A custom-made cork wine cabinet filled with quality wines that includes a Zoom tasting with Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, author, and managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata
The silent auction ends at 5 p.m. on November 14.
