RIVER NORTH — Nevermind Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's football prowess: ESPN Chicago radio co-hosts Tom Waddle and Marc "Silvy" Silverman plan to test his skill behind a grill.
Cutler and the ESPN afternoon radio hosts will compete in the aptly-named Cutler Kick-Off Cook-Off at Chicago Cut Steakhouse starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The event will be a fundraiser for the Jay Cutler Foundation, which "is focused on supporting children with Type 1 diabetes," Chicago Cut's David Flom said.
Cutler said he's looking forward to the event.
"It's great that we can do [the cook-off] at Chicago Cut and also be able to raise money to help kids with Type 1 diabetes in the process," the quarterback said. The cook-off "has been a long time in the making."
Each contestant will get five ingredients, all of which must be incorporated into the entire dish. Outside ingredients from the Chicago Cut kitchen can also be added. All cooking must be done on a grill.
Judges Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven and Purple Pig, Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish and Oyster and Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno will join Flom in judging the winning dish based purely on flavor.
Flom said he, Cutler, Waddle and ESPN "have been discussing this competition for a couple years, and it finally has come to fruition."
All proceeds from the event and an auction after the cook-off will go to Cutler's foundation.
A limited number of $50 tickets are still available. To snag one, call 312-329-1800.
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