Thursday, November 7, 2024
6:30 p.m.
1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
EVENT DETAILS
The Columbia Signature Chefs Auction is a 28-year strong tradition. With your help, we can make a real difference for moms and babies. As March of Dimes' premier black-tie fundraiser, this event celebrates culinary excellence featuring Columbia's top local chefs along with a silent & live auction, and a compelling appeal to support our mission. Join us Thursday evening, November 7th, to raise critical funds for healthy moms and strong babies. Save the Date for the Columbia Signature Chefs Auction as we strive to reach our goal of $275,000.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Thank you to our Signature Sponsor,
JIM HUDSON CADILLAC
Much gratitude goes out to Jim Hudson Cadillac for their unwavering dedication to advancing the mission of March of Dimes. For many years, Jim Hudson Automotive has partnered with March of Dimes as a supporter of Midlands March for Babies, and last year, Jim Hudson Cadillac assumed the esteemed role of Presenting Sponsor of the Columbia Signature Chefs Auction. This enduring commitment is a testament to their profound belief in fighting for the health of all moms and babies. Thank you to Jim Hudson Cadillac for making March of Dimes and our mission such an integral part of the charitable work you do.
2024 AMBASSADOR FAMILY
2 women will die from pregnancy-related causes today. And every day. 2 babies die every hour in the U.S. 4,000,000 babies benefit from our research, vaccines, education, advocacy and breakthroughs.
Chris, Courtney, and Harper are graciously serving as our 2024 Ambassador Family for Columbia. With your gift at Signature Chefs, you can help to fund research, education, advocacy and support to ensure more moms, like Courtney, and more babies, like Harper, are healthy. March of Dimes is dedicated to giving every baby the brightest possible start. Learn more about the Pirko Family and give a gift to their Ambassador Page!
OUR 2024 CHAIRS
CYNTHIA & DR. VIJAY KOLI
Cyndi is an APRN-BC (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) with Lexington Women’s Care in West Columbia. She has served on the committee for this Columbia Signature Chefs Auction Gala for many years and has been an integral part of the success of this event. We are excited that she has taken on the role of chairing the Gala this year along with her husband, Dr. Vijay A. Koli, MD, an internist with Mid Carolina Internal Medicine, also with Lexington Medical Center. Cyndi and Vijay, along with their volunteer committee members, are committed to the success of this Gala. The March of Dimes and the families we support are grateful for the generosity and effort of this team that is making this evening possible.
2024 Signature Chefs Auction Committee
Co-Chairs
Cynthia (Cyndi) S. Koli – Lexington Women’s Care
Dr. Vijay A. Koli, MD – Mid Carolina Internal Medicine
Dr. Jim Estes, MD - Lexington Women's Care
Amy Powers Estes - Rejuvenation Medical Spa
Dr. Valerie Skinner, MD - Lexington Women's Care
Dr. Garner Wild, MD - Columbia Eye Clinic
Courtney Pirko – Ambassador Mom
Jill Libbey, CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) - Lexington Medical Center
Decorations
Bruce Johnson - Dazzle Events
Photographer
Scott Krause - Scott Krause Photography
OUR LEAD CHEF
We are pleased to have Chef Howard Stephens, Executive Chef from Market on Main, as our Lead Chef for the 2024 Signature Chefs Auction.
A native of Chapin, Chef Howard Stephens was in the kitchen at an early age. Starting as a dishwasher in high school at a 5-Points restaurant, he worked his way through college, where he earned his business degree and was hired as bartender and cook at Tony’s Downtown Columbia; they promoted him to manager, and his career at Tony’s lasted 7 years. Chef Howard married, stayed in Columbia, partnering with the owners of Village Gourmet and taking charge of their cafe and catering business, while earning the reputation of self-taught chef.
After running Village Gourmet for 14 years, Chef Howard, now a father of two, went to Oak Table Columbia, where he quickly was promoted from sous chef to head chef, then took the Capital City Club executive chef position, and from there became executive chef of Rosso Trattoria in NE Columbia. Next, participating in a new and unique venture, Howard took on the executive chef position when invited by the owners of Sapori in Lexington, SC.
Then, remembering their great experiences at Village Gourmet, former VG customers reached out to Chef Howard to tell them of their plans to create a restaurant and to offer him the executive chef spot, which he accepted. He began planning and influencing the building of the newly conceptualized Market on Main (MOM), with the goal of returning to downtown Columbia’s Main Street area and designing a place unlike any found there. Currently, Howard oversees the successful MOM venue, including managing the kitchen staff, menu creation, etc. His success on Main Street has led to multiple awards, including the 2023 SCRLA Chef of the Year!
Chef Howard recently survived advanced head and neck cancer. While the treatments were tough, and while the restaurant life can be challenging, he continues to enjoy cooking and plating. Mainly, it's the restaurant environment where he feels most at home. Keep an eye out, as, additionally, Chef Howard's and MOM's current venture is opening a new Market in Charlotte, NC.
View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.
