6th Annual Chefs Take a Stand Event Drives Funds for DV Survivors in Cortland County
*Original publication date: October 3, 2025*
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday, October 1, at The Lookout at Hope Lake for the 6th Annual Chefs Take a Stand event to support the Aid to Victims of Violence program. The chefs, volunteers, YWCA & Greek Peak Staff, and the community who showed up made it an unforgettable night of raising nearly $25,000 to support survivors of domestic violence in our community.
YWCA Cortland’s Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) program is almost fully grant-funded, which means all the money raised at the event and through October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will go towards everyday expenses for survivors like co-pays for medications and doctor visits, haircuts and clothes to restart their lives, and flea medication and litter for their beloved pets.
After our month-long raffle basket display in the YWCA Cortland Lobby for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we will draw basket winners and announce the final total of all funds raised for AVV, so stay tuned!
Check out our Facebook photo album.
BEST HOME CHEF: Kristopher Balser, JM Murray Director of Operations, for his Hickory Smoked Porkbelly Bites
BEST PRO CHEF: Matthew Diamond, Chef and Owner of Gorgers Cortland, for his Citrus Pickled Tiger Shrimp w/ Black Garlic Cherry Cocktail Sauce
BEST HOME APPETIZER: Cuban Sliders by Mike Eves, General Manager & Co-Owner at X101 Always Classic
BEST HOME ENTREE: Gnocchi Pesto Carbonara, Ty Marshal, Executive Director at Center for the Arts of Homer
BEST HOME DESSERT: Chocolate Caramel Brownie Trifle by Melissa Keelhar & Lisa Matijas, SUNY Cortland University Police Department Investigator and Homer Central School District Social Worker
BEST PRO APPETIZER: Brisket Nacho Dip by Diane Timmons-Shaffer, Executive Chef at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
BEST PRO ENTREE: Autumn Duck Confit and Squash on Edible Spoon by Dominick Duncan, Chef at Carvers Steakhouse at Greek Peak Mountain Resort
BEST PRO DESSERT: Pumpkin Cheesecake with White Chocolate Macadamia Crust by Diane Timmons-Shaffer, Executive Chef at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
*Content included in this post was accurate on the date it was published. All information and pricing are subject to change without notice.*