The Shade Foundation hosted its third annual Bubbles & Bites benefit amid wintry decor at the Ritz-Carlton on Wednesday to raise awareness and funds for melanoma research. Shade founder and melanoma survivor Shonda Schilling, wife of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, helmed a private pre-event reception, where V.I.P.s were privy to photo ops with the Red Sox World Series trophies.
The 250 guests then flowed into the hotel’s Studio for a silent auction before sampling bites from 10 local chefs.
“We wanted to combine the things we love most—holidays and good food—and for our guests to feel good about what they’re doing,” said Schilling. “It’s more about awareness than anything else. We hope that people who came last year will come again to share our mission.” Last year’s event—a similar fund-raiser that was held in only the ballroom—raised $80,000 for the Shade Foundation.
Some of the city’s most noted chefs and restaurants—Todd English of Olives, Jeremy Sewall of Eastern Standard, Brian Poe of Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, Jeff Fournier of 51 Lincoln, and Dante deMagistris of Dante, among them—were present, doling out their dishes around the perimeter of the ballroom. The array of small plates included house-cured salami with peach jam and brioche from Fournier, lobster crêpes with American caviar from Sewall, and short ribs atop polenta from Da Vinci.
The wintry decor included several trees decorated in white lights and icicles, and large glass vases filled with blue and silver ornaments as centerpieces.
While guests sipped drinks by One Hope Wines, plus champagne and vodka cocktails, local band East Coast Soul played mellow songs that allowed conversation to flow. The evening’s M.C., New England Sports Network’s Kathryn Tappen, introduced Shade’s executive director, Sue Gorham, who presented “Rays of Hope” awards to three recipients before the live auction got under way.
The Shade Foundation also hosts a similar Bubbles and Bites event annually in Arizona, Shonda Schilling’s home state.
