Love Takes A Bite Out Of Cancer

Cancer is a bitter disease. However, for one night in January it is sweetened up with the love and support of the East End community in the annual Love Bites charity event being held this year on Saturday, January 26, from 7 to 10:30 PM at The Muses in Southampton. The evening benefits Katy’s Courage.

Love Bites was founded by Linda Shapiro in 2005 to benefit the Gilda’s Club of the East End, a start-up cancer organization spin off of Gilda’s Club in New York City, in memory of comedian Gilda Radner of “Saturday Night Live” and wife of the late Gene Wilder. Upon a return in 2006 benefitting CancerCare, Love Bites returned in 2015, with proceeds going toward The Ellen Hermanson Foundation in memory of Shapiro’s friend, Annette Heller. That year, the event was held at Seasons of Southampton. Due to the event’s growing audience, in 2016, Love Bites was moved to The Muses in Southampton, benefitting Katy’s Courage and the Scarlett Foundation at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

“All of us at Katy’s Courage feel fortunate to be beneficiaries of this year’s edition of the Love Bites 2019 fundraiser. We are grateful that Peter Ambrose, Mike Variale, and Linda Shapiro have been gracious enough to once again organize a very special event. It would not be possible without the chefs and restaurants and all of the other sponsors and we value their generosity and participation,” stated Brigid Collins and Jim Stewart, Katy Stewart’s parents.

Katy’s Courage is a not-for-profit honoring Katy Stewart, an inspirational young local girl who succumbed to pediatric liver cancer at only 12 years old. Proceeds raised for the organization benefit local scholarships, pediatric cancer research, and bereavement counseling of Katy’s Kids at the Children’s Museum of the East End.

“The savory food is varied, incredibly tasty, and so well prepared. The desserts are works of art and melt in your mouth. The atmosphere at The Muses is absolutely beautiful. It is a great way to gather together and see friends during the winter,” Shapiro added.

This year’s turnout is expected to exceed over 400 guests. Music will be provided by DJ Michael of East End Entertainment. Also on tap will be a silent auction, a golfers dream raffle, and local delectables.

“Michael Variale of East End Entertainment has donated so much more than his musical talents. The East End restaurants, caterers, and private chefs have been the core of this event, as has been all of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage companies, locally as well as from out of town. The event would never have become so successful without the support of Chef Peter Ambrose who is more than a dear friend of over 20 years, has become my go-to partner for Love Bites,” Shapiro explained.

This year, the entire culinary community will be honored, with special awards going to Cheryl Stair of The Art of Eating and Joe Realmuto of Nick & Toni’s restaurant group. “Peter came up with the brilliant idea of honoring the culinary community. They’re the ones who really support this event. Cheryl and Joe have made such huge names for themselves. Not only are their businesses so successful and their food so wonderful, but they are great people.”

The annual tasting event will kick-off with a dinner at The Clubhouse at 174 Daniels Hole Road in East Hampton on Wednesday, January 16, at 6 PM.

Participating businesses include Events by Peter Ambrose, Elegant Affair, The Art of Eating, The Clubhouse, Bell and Anchor, Saaz, Smokin Wolf BBQ, Golden Pear Café, Grace & Grit, The Mill House, Almond Restaurant, Scotto’s, Silver Spoon Catering, Backyard Brine, Erica’s Rugelach, Dreesen’s Donuts, Jerri’s Cakery and Cupcakes, Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cakes, and Shock Ice Cream. Beverages will be provided by Hampton Coffee Company, Chopin Vodka, Montauk Hard Label, Saratoga Water, Montauk Brewing Company, Mezcal Dona Sarita, Diplomatico Rum, and C & W Distributors.

Tickets for the kick-off dinner are $90 and Love Bites tickets start at $100. Snow date is Saturday, February 9. The Muses is located at 111 Saint Andrew’s Road in Southampton. Visit www.katyscourage.org for tickets.

nicole@indyeastend.com