LIVER FOUNDATION GALA SETS RECORD

The 10th annual Flavors of Connecticut culinary gala raised $200,000 for the American Liver Foundation. The event, which took place at the Aqua Turf in Southington, featured 33 participating chefs preparing a signature five-course gourmet meal complemented with wine pairings. TV personality Marc Summers emceed the event and ESPN sports commentator Chris Berman was fund-a-grant speaker. “Liver disease is an extremely common problem in America, and approximately 60,000 people die from liver failure each year. There are 16,137 candidates waiting for a liver transplant,” explained Dr. Robert Leventhal, co-chair of the event. Over 500 people attended the gala, making it the largest ever, according to JoAnn Thompson, the foundation’s division vice president. Pictured is Berman, center, surrounded by a team from Flemings restaurant — from left, front row, Walter Deane, Lauren Demaio and William Macey; back row, Tom Strano; chef partner Christian Schunmann; Leslie Sanders and Headley Wilson.