A compassionate group of animal rights advocates gathered at the Cobalt Restaurant at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa last Thursday evening for the 6th Annual Chimps Kitchen, A Celebrity Chef Tasting event to benefit Save the Chimps. More than 300 chimpanzees are living out their golden years at the sanctuary having been rescued from horrific lives spent in research laboratories, the pet trade and entertainment industry.
As guests bid on a large selection of silent auction and raffle items, and enjoyed wonderful food, wine and banana daiquiris in a room rippling with hauntingly beautiful music, the soulful glances from photos of rescued chimps, and a bleak 5-foot by 5-foot by 7-foot medical research cage, were stark reminders their former abysmal lives.
Food stations were set up around the rooms, offering a delicious assortment of tapas-style dishes, and sumptuous banana-themed desserts. The wonderful chefs who donated their talents to the successful event were Ron Adams, Bobby’s; Timothy Blouin and Golan Fuchf, Grand Harbor; Stephane Becht and Joel Drapeau, Windsor; Antonio Estremera, The Wave Kitchen and Bar; Ross Robson, 12A Buoy; Ben Tench, The Moorings Yacht and Country Club; Michael Van Buskirk, Cobalt; and Ashlee and Ryan Wykoff, Frosting.
Molly Polidoroff, Save the Chimp’s newly hired executive director, was kept busy all evening with introductions to its ardent supporters.
“This is day four,” said Polidoroff, who relocated from California where she served as executive director of the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits.
While studying human biology at Stanford University she met the renowned Jane Goodall and upon graduating worked for six months with Goodall in Tanzania studying chimpanzees. She now looks forward to building upon the legacy of the late Dr. Carole Noon, STC founder.
“I genuinely believe that Save the Chimps is a leading chimp sanctuary; it’s monumental. It is the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world,” said Polidoroff. “I’m looking forward to working with the team and looking at ways to further improve the quality of life for these chimpanzees. I’m actually very passionate about the chimps; my personal experience with Jane really has had a lifelong impact on me. All you need to do is look into their eyes. I’m just so grateful there’s a place like Save the Chimps. It’s just phenomenal.”
Nancy Aadland was one of many STC volunteers wearing T-shirts reading “98.6% Chimp.” referring to the human/chimp DNA similarity. She commented that many of the great animal sanctuaries in the country were founded by women such as Carole Noon.
“In every one of these causes, it was the result of one woman who wanted to make a difference, had a vision and made it happen,” said Aadland. “Dr. Noon said all they need is a chance and they will heal. All these women are giving these animals a chance to have a better life. I’m totally in awe over what one person can do.”
“They haven’t just saved the lives of these magnificent beings, they have given them the chance to enjoy the simple joys of life,” said Laura Guttridge, who co-chaired the event with Judy Van Saun.