Culinary Futures Benefit Returns to Chicago in 2022

(February 2022)The annual Culinary Futures benefit returns to Chicago March 6, 2022, continuing HIC - Harold Import Company’s 18-year tradition of funding scholarships for underserved students within the Chicago Public Schools.

Since 2008, the HIC-sponsored Culinary Futures event has been a powerful and effective force in providing underserved youth with high school culinary training, job placement and college scholarships. Through the years, HIC has partnered with various organizations including Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Chicago, Les Dames d’Escoffier International-Atlanta and the Hospitality Scholarship Foundation (HSF) to help broaden the reach of these benefits.

In 2022, all proceeds from this special event will benefit No Matter What, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that invests in the youth of the Chicagoland area through mentorship, career readiness training, and mental health healing with a strong emphasis on helping them reach their highest potential No Matter What obstacles they face. 

“Our goal from the outset has been to partner with like-minded organizations to help us achieve our mission to fund scholarships for underserved high school students based on need and merit,” explained Robert Laub, president of HIC – Harold Import Company, and founder of the Culinary Futures program. “By partnering with No Matter Whatfor the 2022 Culinary Futures Benefit, our efforts have come full circle.”

No Matter What

No Matter Whatwas created and founded in 2015 by Kenneth Griffin, who was introduced to HIC and the Culinary Futures family in 2009 at the International Home & Housewares Show. “What started as a small conversation about my future in the culinary industry with Robert Laub turned into 10+ years of mentorship,” Griffin explained. “Being a recipient of the Culinary Futures scholarship in 2010, I learned that while receiving the money to go to school was amazing, receiving lifelong friends and mentors was just as amazing, all of which prompted me to start my own mentorship related non-profit organization, No Matter What.” 

Millie’s Camp

Not only does HIC help raise money at the popular Culinary Futures event for school scholarships, HIC’s support for these students continues throughout the year with Millie’s Camp, a camp created in honor of Laub’s mother, Millie. In the summer of 2019, HIC joined together with HSF for the first annual Millie’s Camp, to inspire underserved youth to learn about culinary arts and hospitality management. This very special summer camp hosted 25 Chicagoland teens at the Loyola Ecology & Recreational Center, in Woodstock, IL.

The 2022, “Reach for the Stars” Culinary Futures event will also aim to raise money for Millie’s Camp. Partnering with No Matter What, this year Millie’s Camp will host up to 70 teens and 10 adults who will receive a week of immersive learning with a highlight on careers in culinary arts & hospitality management. Sponsorship of a student to attend this program will cover costs for room and board, transportation, chef coat/kitchen attire, and supplies and consumables for learning.

Event Specifics

 Join HIC and No Matter Whatat the 2022 Culinary Futures, “Reach for the Stars” event:

6:30 -9:30 pm

Loft on Lake 
1366 W Lake St 
Chicago IL, 60607

Early Bird Tickets until February 20th can be purchased here

Let’s keep the Chicago tradition of giving going.

Please Note: We will be following all current COVID protocols mandated by the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.

For more information, please contact Pamela Plancher Callahan pplancher@haroldimport.com

 or Nicola Copeland ncopeland@nmwchicago.org