House of Hope Top Chef 2022 Turns Up the Heat To Help the Hungry

Stuart, FL - With high-stakes drama over hot stoves, friendly competition for bragging rights, and an important community mission, House of Hope’s Top Chef 2022 returned as an in-person fundraising event on June 6 at The District Table in Stuart.

More than 180 guests enjoyed food and wine as they cheered on this year’s competing chefs: Katie Ertz, Donna Forcella, Marybeth Peña, Julian Maiucci, Joe Tomasiello, and “Shipper Pete” Morello. Among the ingredients the chefs worked with were fresh vegetables from House of Hope’s Growing Hope Farm.

The Top Chef overall was Katie Ertz, an especially sweet victory since she was filling in at the last minute for her mother Donna Jenson. Donna Forcella was the Top Fundraiser, and Marybeth Peña had the Best Dish according to Judges Jason Stock, Chef/Owner of District Table; Carra Crehan, Events/ Restaurant Manager of Chef’s Table; and Craig Ahal, winner of Top Chef 2019.

“We’re grateful to everyone who participated and who attended this year’s Top Chef,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “While we gathered around food in fun and celebration, we were also raising funds to help with our essential work of providing nutritious food to our friends and neighbors in need in Martin County.”

Ten local restaurants contributed to the evening: Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Chef’s Table, Colab Kitchen, Diamond Tea Room & Bistro, District Table & Bar, Gilbert’s Coffee Bar, Guanabanas, Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill, Spritz City Bistro, and TideHouse. KC Daniel led the Call to Action fundraiser during the event, and Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi was the “masterful” master of ceremonies. Jason Stocks, owner of District Table, was the evening’s host, graciously opening his restaurant to the festivities.

House of Hope extends additional gratitude to the event’s sponsors: Colab Kitchen, District Table & Bar, Whilticar Boat Works, Firefly Public Relations & Marketing, FPL, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Coastal Drive Magazine, Kathy Carmody, Mark & Dina Roosth, McCarthy Summers Wood Norman Melby & Shultz P.A., Berger Toombs Elam Gaines & Frank Accountants, AG Management, Rick Carroll Insurance, Wong Family Foundation, Deborah Lovequist, Jim & Elaine Matts, and Bob & Linda Sander.

Plans are already underway for Top Chef 2023!

About House of Hope

Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. 

The organization has service centers and thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach. House of Hope’s Golden Gate Center for Enrichment in Stuart offers free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.

House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram Instagram, and Twitter.