Spark’s Annual Wine & Dine

6:30 PM CDT | TOP CHEF DEMO PRE-PARTY

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DINE WITH US

This year, we are bringing the food to YOU. Spark Ventures is partnering with Aba Restaurant in Chicago’s Fulton Market to serve you an amazing appetizer spread, with ingredients inspired by our partner organizations. Each guest will enjoy a delicious Aba appetizer as the chef talks through the menu inspiration and shares some pro cooking-tips on Zoom. Purchase a “Top Chef Dining Experience” ticket and ingredients for 3 mezze plates will be delivered straight to your door anywhere in the United States. This unique dining experience serves 2 people per box and is family friendly!

*Tickets to receive the delivered ingredients are no longer available for purchase, but are not required to log on and watch the demo.

7:00 PM CDT | SPARK’S VIRTUAL WINE & DINE PROGRAM

7:30 PM CDT | LIVE MUSIC

At Spark Ventures we are a community of passionate individuals, all from unique backgrounds, but united by the common belief that together we can make a difference. In a year where injustice and inequality was laid bare, our enduring commitment to supporting our partners continues to evolve and strengthen. Together, we are able to bridge global distance and differences by empowering vulnerable communities with the resources and tools needed to reach their potential.

SILENT & LIVE AUCTION

Our silent & live auctions never disappoint and this year’s selection is no exception! You have a chance to win exciting items like a trip to the Four Seasons in Punta Mita, Mexico, high-end liquors, premium wines, intricate works of art, fitness packages and more. You can access the items via our online bidding platform, even if you won’t be joining us for the virtual Zoom event.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Orange County-born Chef CJ Jacobson‘s craft revolves around hyper-seasonal, local California ingredients, where foraging plays a main part in the flavor profiles that he creates in his kitchen. Beginning his culinary career in 2004, CJ has starred in two seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef, won 2014 Top Chef Duels, and spent time cooking in many kitchens and across California. Now, Jacobson is a Chef / Partner at Aba and Ēma, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises restaurant concepts focused on Mediterranean-style cooking. Chef CJ and his team just opened Aba in Austin in the Fall of 2020.

ABOUT THE BAND

Prior to selling and implementing enterprise risk software, Chris Arwady and Jeff Mills were musicians playing in the hottest underground blues and rock clubs in Chicago. A little less than a year ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic locked us all in our homes, Chris and Jeff knew they had a space to fill. To keep their colleagues at Fusion Risk Management in high spirits, Chris and Jeff took it upon themselves to perform some live music over Zoom as a Friday happy hour. The event was a hit, and the two were asked to do the same thing again the next week. And the next week – and thus, The Quarantainers (quarantine-entertainers) were born. For 14 weeks straight, Fusion employees and their families enjoyed an hour+ of live music every Friday under the recurring event name Fusion Live with The Quarantainers. This spring, they’re joining Spark Ventures’ Wine & Dine event to bring a little more music into the world.

ENTER OUR RAFFLE TO WIN YOUR OWN PELOTON BIKE

Purchase a raffle ticket and you’ll be entered in our drawing to win the Peloton bike essentials package which includes:

We will announce the winner at our April 22nd Wine & Dine (you do not need to be present to win).

*This raffle does not include the $39/month All-Access Membership which is required with all Bike packages. No commitment. Pause or cancel anytime.