Battle of the Chefs: Cooking for a Cure

Battle of the Chefs: Cooking for a Cure

Join us for an electrifying evening where top chefs go head-to-head in an unforgettable culinary duel! Experience fine dining, fierce competition, and an opportunity to support a meaningful cause.

Live Chef Battle – Two powerhouse husband-and-wife teams Matthew Hart (The Local) & Melissa Close-Hart (Mockingbird) VS. Tricia & Dave Stone (Chickadee) compete in a high-stakes cook-off. You vote for the winner! (winning team receives a bonus donation for the cause!)
Gourmet Multi-Course Dinner – Each Course is designed around a paired wine varietal. We're leaving the menu up to the chef teams to prepare their best dishes! (two dishes per course to vote on)
Silent Auction & Donations – Bid on exclusive items to support the Young Survival Coalition and our Superstar Michelle. (Can't attend? Link to the live auction is here!)
A Night of Impact – Your ticket directly contributes to breast cancer awareness and support.

Michelle's Story:

Michelle’s journey with breast cancer began in March 2021—just days before welcoming her daughter into the world. Despite aggressive treatments and a short-lived remission, she faced another battle soon after. In December 2023, Michelle was declared cancer-free again, but just over a year later, on January 20, 2025, she was diagnosed with metastases to the brain.

Michelle has already undergone gamma knife radiation and is back on chemotherapy, which will likely continue indefinitely. Despite the hardships, Michelle remains determined to turn her experience into something positive. Her hope is to raise awareness about breast cancer—especially for young women like herself—and to encourage others to be proactive about their health.

Every ticket purchased, every bid placed, and every dollar donated supports the fight against breast cancer and helps Michelle and others like her receive the support they need.

Join us in making a difference!

Host or Publisher The Local Catering and Stay Charlottesville