Top Chef 2024 is Heating Up to Support House of Hope
STUART, Fla. –Top Chef 2024, House of Hope’s fiery and intense competition among five amateur chefs, will blaze into action for the sixth year on April 8 at 7 p.m.
The contestants will have just 45 minutes to transform ingredients from a surprise pantry of items commonly found in House of Hope’s Client Choice pantries and production farm into a dish that will wow the judges. The fun-filled evening offers guests small plate delicacies from top local restaurants as they cheer on the chefs during their friendly battle for bragging rights.
The District Table & Bar in Stuart is once again hosting the competition, turning over their food preparation facilities and restaurant seating for the evening to support the mission of House of Hope. District staff is on hand throughout the evening to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“Every year we’ve been astonished at the creativity of the chefs,” House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri said. “Even though they’re not professional chefs, they still concoct dishes that any restaurant would be proud to serve, and with an enthusiasm that you have to witness to believe.”
A panel of volunteer judges, made up of local notables and professional chefs, will critique the cuisine presented to them. They will award prizes to the Top Dish and to the Top Fundraiser, with the Overall designation of Top Chef going to the chef who excels in a combination of both categories. Last year’s Top Chef winner Jessica Bohner is serving as a judge this year. Commissioner Ed Ciampi, a veteran of the Top Chef wars, will serve as emcee.
This year’s competing Chefs are Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett - Re/MAX of Stuart, Sonita Farr, Wendy Kohler - member of Less Is More Treasure Coast Facebook group, Niki Norton - N2 Architecture & Design, and Katy O'Neil.
In addition to sharpening their culinary skills, each Top Chef contestant crowdfunds in advance of the competition to earn points towards their overall score and raise dollars that directly support House of Hope's mission to empower Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship.
House of Hope is seeing an ever-increasing number of Martin County residents who are food insecure and need the services of the organization to feed their families. Funds raised from this fun, food event will go directly to feeding hungry neighbors.
Sponsors to date include District Table & Bar, Stifel Investment Services, RE/MAX of Stuart, the Hawkins Family, Frank & Diane Warren, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Molly K. O’Neil Esq., n2 Architecture + Design, Russell & Dianne Weller, Century 21 Move With Us, Deborah Lovequist, Girl Scout Troop 71734, Jim & Elaine Matts, Justice for Kaitlyn Kohler, Manchester Insurance, Mann’s Consulting, Stuart Financial, Treasure Coast Accounting Inc., and Wong Family Foundation.
Sponsorship opportunities are available until March 20 for inclusion in the program, and each chef is still busily raising funds. Top Chef is a sold-out event, a testimony to its popularity, but you can still become a sponsor support a favorite chef at Events@hohmartin.org or (772) 286-4673 ext. 1031 or go to hohmartin.org/topchef.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 7,000 people each month helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and now at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
