A new venue, 10 talented chefs, must-have auction items and a generous crowd all combined to create the perfect recipe for success at the seventh annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. Held this year at the Quail Valley River Club, the event raised $150,000 to help fund research into the causes and prevention of birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Guests gathered poolside and in Quail’s outdoor dining area, where chefs offered up a mouthwatering array of small-dish creations. Citrus Grillhouse Chef Scott Varricchio served as Chef Chair, coordinating the efforts of local chefs Chris Bireley, Osceola Bistro; Chad Leighton, Bijou; Chet Perrotti, Amalfi Grille; and Kitty Wagner, Blue Star; as well as out-of-the-area chefs Eric Baker, Max’s Harvest, Delray Beach; Clay Conley, Būuccan, Palm Beach; Eric Grutka, Ian’s Tropical Grill, Stuart; Jason Stocks, District Table & Bar, Stuart; and Juan Toledo, Nitrogen Bar, Grill and Sushi, Jupiter.
Fully sated by the tasty tapas, guests moved indoors for dessert, compliments of Quail Valley, and the live auction and Fund the Mission paddle raise, presided over by the indefatigable John Moore as auctioneer.
The event co-chairs, Emily Burgoon and Kristina Pernfors, each had compelling reasons behind their support of the March of Dimes mission. Burgoon’s sister, who was last year’s Fund the Mission guest speaker, had given birth to premature twins four years ago: a son who survived and a daughter who did not. As this year’s Ambassador Family, Pernfors told the emotional story surrounding the birth of daughter Bella, now 6 years old.
“Last year, Mikael and I were sitting where you are right now when Emily’s sister Rachel shared the story about her daughter Magnolia, and it hit very close to home,” said Kristina Pernfors.
In week 24 of her pregnancy, they learned the fetus had a rare, often fatal blood incompatibility condition called Rh-sensitization due to Kristina’s being Rh-negative. That led to fetal hydrops; fluid accumulating in Bella’s body. Her doctor referred them to Dr. Ruben Quintero in Tampa, a top fetal specialist, who scheduled an emergency in-utero blood transfusion. Two additional in-utero transfusions and many more trips to Tampa and Miami ensued before Pernfors was induced seven weeks ahead of schedule and little Bella, weighing 4 lb., 4 oz., entered the world. She would endure additional blood transfusions and continual medical observation, but her story has a very happy ending.
“Six years later, it’s an amazing pleasure to be able to say that Bella is completely healthy, totally recovered, and has no physical or mental handicaps, except possibly extreme stubbornness,” said Pernfors, adding that she and husband Mikael had often visited the March of Dimes website to learn more about Bella’s condition.
“The truth of the matter is, the babies are our future and the stronger and healthier they are, the better for all of us. By funding the March of Dimes mission, you will support the education, research, and prevention of illnesses threatening our babies, and by ensuring that healthier babies are born, we ensure a healthier society overall,” added Pernfors. She introduced Bella and her 10-year old brother Figge, and told guests that donors who pledged during the Fund the Mission call-out would receive a little bell from Bella in gratitude.