Eat*Drink*Cleveland: Hope Lodge

Harvesting Hope 2016 Event Recap

Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

I was extremely excited to be invited to attend the American Cancer Society's third annual fundraiser Harvesting Hope. The event was held two days before our anniversary (#3!) at our wedding location so I knew it was going to be a special event for us personally.

But it was special for many more reasons:

1. Learning about the Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge. Free housing and a healing environment are provided for adult cancer patients and their families who receive life-saving treatment in the Greater Cleveland area. I think one of the best things about this event is the awareness it provides for this much needed resource.

2. A cocktail hour and food stations. I really enjoyed starting off with cocktails and passed apps. It served as both an enticing beginning to the gala but also gave us time to mingle with representatives from the American Cancer Society and stroll around the gardens before the main event.

3. Seeing friends, both old and new. Fellow blogger friend Bite Buff scored a fabulous in-home chef dinner at the live auction and the winners of my giveaway cleaned up at the silent auction too!

Thank you to Bite Buff for the photo of the two of us!

Photo Credit

3. Gorgeous setting. Even though I'm likely biased, this was a lovely location for an event! I love events that take advantage of the nice weather with outdoor venues. Thankfully the weather cooperated so we could walk the gardens, including our wedding location, the Japanese Garden. Visiting this special spot was a real bonus!

4. Last but certainly not least, the food. Some of my favorite chefs in Cleveland were showing off with excellent dishes. We were treated to two dishes from each chef.

Chefs John Selick, Jeff Jarrett, Adam Bostwick, Mia Amidi & Zack Bruell and
Jonathan Bennett and his lovely helper

Delicious food from John Selick and Adam Bostwick at Harvesting Hope 2016

The bean soup and multi-grain salad from Chef Jeff Jarrett of US Foods were also great but I was too busy devouring them to take photos (oops!)

They also provided everyone a tin of an herb or seasoning to take home. What a great favor! It was beautifully packaged and tied in perfectly with the theme.

It was only the 3rd year for the Harvesting Hope Gala and they are off to a great start! Kudos to the American Cancer Society for hosting this outstanding event.

*** Disclaimer: I was provided two tickets to give away and two for personal use in exchange for helping promote the event. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. ***