photo by: Emma Delk

The Jakery owners Bobbie, left, and Jake Lindaweaver enjoy a meal at the Chefs’ Breakfast held at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

WHEELING — Wheeling Health Right is gearing up for a “wickedly fun” evening of food and entertainment during its 29th Annual Chefs’ Auction, which will celebrate the organization’s 40th Anniversary and the legacy of outgoing Executive Director Kathie Brown.

The 29th rendition of the event will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at WesBanco Arena. All proceeds will benefit Wheeling Health Right, a United Way Agency that provides access to comprehensive medical care, dental care and pharmaceuticals to the uninsured or underinsured in the Ohio Valley area.

The theme for this year’s Chefs’ Auction is “Wicked for Good,” with the 16 restaurants and caterers participating in the event creating food items themed around the musical.

Wheeling Health Right Director of Marketing Anne Ricci said Chef Rocco Basil selected the theme based on the “ruby” theme for the 40th anniversary milestone.

“It is the Wheeling Health Right’s 40th Anniversary as an organization, so he [Basil] thought of the ruby slippers from the ‘Wizard of Oz,'” Ricci said. “We decided to stick with the ‘Wicked for Good’ theme because our organization works ‘for good,’ and it’s the name of the second [‘Wicked’] movie coming out.”

In addition to celebrating “the good” Wheeling Health Right does for the community, the event will honor Brown’s 34-year legacy with the organization. The Chefs’ Auction began with Brown at the helm, and she said it was “wonderful” to see how the event has grown and developed since its first year at the Georgian Center.

The Chefs’ Auction is the only fundraiser Wheeling Health Right holds annually. Brown noted her “amazement” at the community’s coming together to support the organization for a whole year in a single night. Last year’s auction raised $90,000 for Wheeling Health Right, and Brown hopes to see the event hit the $100,000 fundraising milestone before her retirement in June.

Brown will hand the organization’s reins to Ricci, noting that she had “lots of great ideas” ready for Health Right.

“This last Chefs’ Auction for me will be very special,” Brown said. “I’ve done all the things that I set as goals when I started [as executive director], and I want to see the people that come to this event get behind her [Ricci] and support her the same as they’ve done for me for all these years.”

Restaurants featured in this year’s auction include Chef Mike Travis of Elmhurst House of Friendship, Euphoric Doughnuts, Faygo’s Famous Mexican Street Corn, Generations Pub & Restaurant, Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream, Pickles Eatery & Bar, The Jakery, Valley Cheese, The Chefs from Wheeling Island Hotel Casino & Racetrack, The Chefs from Oglebay Resort and Chef Rocco Basil.

Brown said the chef lineup this year includes new and old faces. She added that the event will feature a “variety of restaurants” and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

At the Chefs’ Breakfast on Tuesday, the restauranteurs participating in this year’s auction gathered at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack to enjoy a catered breakfast.

Bobbie and Jake Linaweaver, owners of The Jakery cottage bakery, said they were still finalizing their menu for the Chefs’ Auction during the breakfast. Bobbie Linaweaver said they planned to create decorated sugar cookies and various desserts to align with the “Wicked for Good” theming.

Figaretti’s Restaurant Office Manager Elaine Hogan said attendees can expect the restaurant’s classic Italian food at the Chefs’ Auction this year. The restaurant will also donate gift baskets for the event.

“We’re always willing to support the Wheeling Health Right in any way we can- whether that’s donating pasta for an event or sending volunteers to help paint for them,” Hogan said. “Anytime she’s [Brown] called us, we’re ready to help.”

The Chefs’ Auction will include a live auction, raffle and wine and liquor pull. Emcees Taylor Long-Bernard and Bob Heldreth will host the event, with auctioneer Jim Frio calling out the items for bid at the live auction. Some of the items that will be offered at the live auction include a signed Taylor Swift “Lover” Album and a Tuscan Tranquility Getaway for 12.

Twice as Nice will provide live music, and Lit 360 will have a video booth. Pittsburgh caricature artist Sam Thong will return to the event to draw caricatures of patrons.

The event’s Title Sponsors are Walker Pete Holloway Jr. and Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. The River Network is the media sponsor.

Tickets are $125 per person. For tickets or information, visit wheelinghealthright.home.qtego.us or call 304-233-9323 and ask for Dee Phillips. Those who cannot attend but would like to make a donation to the clinic can send it to 61-29th St. Wheeling, WV 26003.