An Evening to Remember

Master Chef hosts five-star tribute to Fox Chase Cancer Center

Renowned chef Jean-Francois Taquet (center in white) hosted a grand affair to benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center last October. Joining him were master chefs and friends (from left) Claudio Pirollo, Jean Guttal, Francis Layrle, Barry Salop, Daniel Boulud, George Perrier and Jean Phillipe Iberti.

Legendary chefs and a who's who list of movers and shakers from Philadelphia and surrounding areas gathered last October for an exquisite evening to promote the mission of Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Renowned chef Jean-Francois Taquet hosted the event at Restaurant Taquet, where he served as executive chef and is current owner. Located in the historic Wayne Hotel in Wayne, Pa., Restaurant Taquet has received numerous accolades for its exceptional cuisine and sophisticated atmosphere.

In 1991, Taquet became the youngest chef to be inducted into the Maitre Cuisinier de France, or Master Chefs of France, an elite organization that strives "to preserve, advance and perpetuate the tradition of great French cuisine."

A long-time friend of Fox Chase board member William Little, Taquet is no stranger to Fox Chase's mission. It was very important to Taquet to create a special culinary event to support the Center's groundbreaking work in cancer research. Equally important to him was enlisting the help of some master-chef colleagues, including Jean-Marie Lacroix, chef ambassador of Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, and Daniel Boulud, chef/owner of Restaurant Daniel and Café Boulud in New York City.

Also present were Robert C. Young, MD, Fox Chase president and CEO, William J. Avery, chairman of Fox Chase's board of directors, and many more.

The evening's menu featured a seven-course meal, filled with nothing short of culinary masterpieces, including seviche of yellowfin tuna with avocado; Iranian ossettra caviar; parmagiano reggiano risotto with alba white truffles; Canadian woodcock and ruffed grouse spring roll; roasted rack of Colorado lamb; and an assortment of artisan cheeses.

After dinner, guests delighted in extravagant live and silent auctions, included dinner for twelve at guest Georges Perrier's home; a golf package in Marrakech, Morocco; dinner for four at Jean-Francois Taquet's home in New Zealand, including an excursion for two to walk the famous Milford Track for five days/four nights; and much more.

The event raised more than $150,000 for cancer research at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

In a momentous gesture of gratitude, Taquet offered guests specially designed knives, accented with aged-wood handles and encased in boxes engraved with the evening's emblem, a combination of logos from Restaurant Taquet and Fox Chase Cancer Center.