Best Chef
Save the date! Best Chef 2026 is happening on Friday, April 10, from 6–9 pm at the Boston Marriott Peabody. Stay tuned for details on how to get involved and purchase tickets. Don’t miss being a part of this exciting evening of friendly competition, live auction raffles, and delicious tastings from some of the North Shore’s finest restaurants!
See all options: About the Event | Competing Chefs & Judges | Sponsorships | Taste of the North Shore | Auction Items
thank you for joining us
Taste of the North Shore & Best Chef Competition!
Thank you so much for joining us at the Best Chef fundraiser on Friday night! We hope you enjoyed the delicious offerings from all 11 Taste of the North Shore restaurants and had a great time supporting Beverly Bootstraps.
A huge thank you to our incredible celebrity chefs and judges—your talent and energy made the evening unforgettable. And a special shout-out to Chef Gabe, who took home the title of Best Chef 2025!
We’re also so grateful to our event sponsors—thank you for making this night possible. (Check out their logos at the bottom of this page!)
At Beverly Bootstraps, we provide critical resources to families and individuals so they may achieve self-sufficiency. Your support helps us continue to offer emergency and long-term assistance, including access to food, housing stability, adult and youth programs, education, counseling, and advocacy.
Thank you again for being part of such a meaningful evening and for helping us continue this vital work.
Our 2025 Competing Chefs
Gabe Cheung
With Gabe’s heritage rooted in Chinese and Cuban traditions, his passion is driven by fusion and flavor. Chef Gabe has been the executive chef of the Essex Country Club since April 2017.
Alex Pineda
The son of legendary Boston chef and restaurateur, Lydia Shire, and former Chopped finalist, Alex Pineda is carving his own path as the co-owner of Que Mas in Beverly.
Bill Fogarty
Chef Bill Fogarty has spent 28 years in the food industry. He believes in working with local farmers and vendors and maintaining the integrity of food. He is the executive chef at Kitchen Table in Beverly.
Our 2025 Celebrity Judges
Anna Rossi
This could be YOU!
Join us for an exciting fundraiser! Bid on a unique opportunity to be a judge alongside the celebrity judges. Enjoy a delicious variety of dishes and help select the winner of the title Best Chef!
Maria Sansone
Maria Sansone is an Emmy Award-winning television host with an illustrious career and unmistakable voice in broadcasting spanning 3 decades.
Become a Sponsor for our Best Chef Event!
Are you unable to participate as a sponsor this year but would like to donate to Beverly Bootstraps and the essential work we do for our community? Click here to donate.
To become a sponsor, please call Ted Wilson at 978-927-1561 x121 or email him at twilson@beverlybootstraps.org. You may also register online by clicking here!
Presenting Sponsor
$20,000
- 10 tickets
- All Pastry Chef benefits plus:
- Logo on event favors given to attendees
- Premier spot on stage banner
- Opportunity to provide opening remarks during the program
- 10 seats at the Chef’s Tasting Table
EXECUTIVE CHEF SPONSOR
- 10 tickets
- All Pastry Chef benefits plus:
- Reserved table during the competition and program
- Logo on all drink napkins
- Logo on stage banner
- Premium recognition in print newsletter
SOUS CHEF SPONSOR
- 6 tickets
- All Pastry Chef benefits plus:
- Logo on table tents
- Premium recognition in monthly e-news (6,000 contacts)
- Shout-out from our Executive Director during the program
PASTRY CHEF SPONSOR
- 4 tickets
- Benefits include:
- 4 seats at a reserved table during the competition and program
- Name listed on all appropriate print materials prior to the event
- Logo on event signage
- Name and logo on the event website and social media thank you
Taste of the North Shore
Beverly Bootstraps provides critical resources and long-term support to individuals and families, so they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and lead self-sufficient, fulfilling lives. Our emergency and long-term programs provide low-income members of our service area with access to food, housing stability, adult and youth programs, education, counseling, and advocacy.
We are looking for local restaurants, caterers, and chefs to show their support for our work. Join us at Best Chef 2025 to be a part of our “Taste of the North Shore.”
Participating food vendors will need to provide the following:
• Tasting of selected menu item/s for 250-300 guests
• Any heating/cooling devices to keep food warm/cold
• Person/s to be present at your table the evening of the event to serve
• Certificate of Insurance for Boston Marriott Peabody
Beverly Bootstraps will provide all food vendors with the following benefits:
• An 8-foot table for your food presentation, small plates and utensils for the tasting
• Linen for your table (you may also choose to bring your own branded linen if you would like)
• Exposure to 250+ event attendees and potential new customers
To learn more or join us on this fun night, Ted Wilson at 978-927-1561 x121 or email him at twilson@beverlybootstraps.org.
Looking for Auction Item Donors
Donating an auction item is a unique way to be involved. If you would like to donate an auction item, fill out the form below. If you have questions, please contact Ted Wilson, Interim Executive Director via email at twilson@beverlybootstraps.org or call 978-927-1561 x121.
Participating Taste of the North Shore restaurants include:
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Sous Chef Sponsor
Pastry Chef Sponsor
