Amira Foods, Family Reach's Cooking Live helping cancer-stricken families
Amira Nature Foods Ltd (Amira Foods) has partnered with Family Reach to sponsor their Cooking Live event series. Family Reach is the sole non-profit in the US to provide immediate financial assistance directly to families battling cancer. The first installment of this fundraising event happened on May 21, 2014, in Chicago, which saw the country's top chefs working together to prepare a five-course meal.
The 2014 event brought together country's top culinary talents
Amira Foods' Chairman Mr. Karan A Chanana joined top culinary talents included Ming Tsai, Takashi Yagihashi, Stephanie Izard, Grant Achatz, and David Burke, who were all assisted by their sous-chef, the undefeated professional boxer and Notre Dame alumnus Mike Lee. The host for the day's event was Ryan Baker, CBS Sportscaster, who was also joined by Windy City Live host, Ryan Chiaverini.
Chicago's Cooking Live event raised almost $200,000 for Family Reach
The event was interactive and bespoke as the top chefs were paired with young cancer patients who receive grants from Family Reach. Each of the chefs learned the touching stories of the patients they were matched with and used this experience to inspire the meals that they prepared at the event. Chicago's Cooking Live event resulted in donations of almost $200,000 for Family Reach.
"Quality is at heart of everything we do at Amira"
The joining of altruism and cuisine is aligned with Chanana's vision. "Quality is at the heart of everything we do at Amira Foods. We're committed to improving the quality of life of communities we serve," he said. Meanwhile, Family Reach's ED Carla Tardif highlighted, "Our Cooking Live event in Chicago was successful. We're grateful for our partnership with Amira Foods. They are perfect partners."
Takings from this event used to cover treatment expenses
The takings from this event help families to cover a range of costs and expenses that usually build up through the course of treatment for cancer, often for a young family member. The foremost source of bankruptcy in the US is medical emergencies, and cancer is the most frequent cause. Typically, the financial assistance from Family Reach is the payments for rent and mortgages.
Family Reach helps affected families to cover their daily expenses
Since it is the day-to-day payments that often build pressure on families undergoing the treatment process for cancer, Family Reach also provides grants to cover transportation, food, groceries, utilities, and some medical costs that their health insurance does not cover. Family Reach makes a difference to the families affected by cancer, and events like this raise help to the organization in this cause.
'Cooking Live is dynamic way for chefs to give back'
Family Reach's Executive Chef Ambassador, Ming Tsai, says, "Cooking Live is a dynamic way for chefs to give back. During Cooking Live, good food is shared and funds are raised for families." Chanana admires Tsai's efforts and asserts, "It's a pleasure to see the legendary Ming Tsai preparing beautiful meals for a good cause, and using Amira Foods' rice to do so."
Family Reach's community has helped more than 80,000 individuals
Since 2003, Family Reach's community has helped more than 80,000 individuals from 49 states keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table, and maintain safe access to treatment. You may visit the websites of Family Reach and Amira Foods for more information.
