Housewares Charity Foundation Gala Raises More Than $2 Million

The Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) raised more than $2.3 million for charity at its 18th annual gala during the International Home + Housewares Show.

Proceeds from the event, held at Chicago’s Navy Pier, benefited The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, along with Save the Children, an organization that invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for the future.

This year’s gala honored Richard Baker, governor and executive chairman of Hudson’s Bay Co., and Brian Kelley, president and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain Inc., as Humanitarians of the Year. Co-chairs for the event were Phil Brandl, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association (IHA), and Ken O’Brien, senior vice president, merchandising, QVC Inc. The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, served as honorary co-chair.

The event was sold-out with more than 1,200 attendees enjoying a cocktail reception featuring 10 tasting stations hosted by Chicago-based James Beard Foundation chefs, including Paul Kahan, Blackbird; Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig; Rick Bayless, Frontera; Rohini Dey, Vermilion; John Hogan, River Roast; Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat; Thomas Lents, Sixteen Restaurant; Mindy Segal, HotChocolate; Bruce Sherman, North Pond; and Takashi Yagihashi, Slurping Turtle. 

The reception was sponsored by Choose Chicago and Whitford Corp. Dinner included a three-course meal designed by Tony Mantuano, chef/partner, Spiaggia Restaurant & Lounge. The evening also featured silent and live auctions where guests bid on an extraordinary collection of relaxing getaways, dinners, unparalleled culinary experiences, and sports and entertainment happenings. Offerings included trips to Anguilla, Mexico, and Provence, France, as well as a stay in the Hamptons, N.Y.