Chefs cook for charity

The line-up for Chef’s Schoolyard reads like a who’s who of Detroit’s hottest chefs. The charity event returns May 8 and 9, after last year’s success, and will take place at Great Lakes Culinary Center in Southfield, again benefiting Detroit Prep. Check out their website – that’s where tickets are currently being sold, “When they came to me this year and said we want to do two days, I was like, of course you want to make two days out of this thing – why wouldn’t you?” laughed John Vermiglio, chef at Grey Ghost, who helped with the event both last year and this year. “But it was like, all right, challenge accepted.” Chefs participating – Vermiglio said everyone asked said yes as long as their schedule allowed for it – hail from restaurants like SheWolf and Selden Standard to Takoi, Lady of the House, and Wright + Co. Oh, and every chef from last year is returning. “This particular event stuck a cord with us at Marrow because of its connection to community,” said Sarah Welch, Marrow’s executive chef who is participating on Thursday, May 9. “It’s also not terrible to cook alongside some of my friends and idols in the food industry of Detroit, right?” While Vermiglio isn’t sure what anyone is creating, each evening will have seven courses, with every chef assigned a course based off what they are known for and known for doing well. Other than that, all bets are off as to what they may create, but since it will be spring by then, hopefully, expect to see some green things on the plate. Vermiglio, the son of an educator, sees this event happening for years to come and said he has no plans to stop. “Plus, it would be cool if they like, named the cafeteria after Grey Ghost,” he laughed. Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.