A husband, a friend, a dad, a brother. a partner....gone in an instant!
Written by Paul Zweben
Saturday, 07 February 2009
I recently lost my business partner of 16 years. He was my dear friend, "like brother" and an amazing partner. We want to keep his spirit alive and are kicking off our first fund raiser in South Beach on February 21st. Take a look at the press release........if you cannot make it, you can still buy a ticket and the money will go to "The Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship. It has been established to award individuals interested in the culinary world who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, have a clear vision of their restaurant concept and the passion to see it through."

CHEFS FOR SCHER

What: Chefs for Scher; a brunch event to benefit the Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Restaurateurs

When: Saturday February 21, 2009, 11:30am

Where: Scarpetta, Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach FL.

Who: Host Chef Scott Conant of Scarpetta, Chef Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter’s, Chef John Fraser of Dovetail, Guest Sommelier Jean Luc Le Du of Le Du’s Wines, and more.

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For Immediate Release- On February 21, 2009, during the weekend of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, friends and colleagues of late restaurateur Steven Scher gather together to prepare an unparalleled sit-down brunch benefiting the Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Restaurateurs in association with The James Beard Foundation. Host chef Scott Conant welcomes highly regarded chefs Charlie Trotter and John Fraser into his kitchen while guest sommelier Jean Luc Le Du presides over the wine service to honor the beloved food industry magnate and raise money for this most worthwhile scholarship in his name.

Steven Scher was a charismatic figure in New York's restaurant scene, an industry he parlayed after a successful law career. The impetus for Steve's professional leap from lawyer to restaurateur was a fundamental belief that he could achieve that which he set out to accomplish. With no prior food industry experience, Steven began meeting with professionals in the field, raising money to fund his concept and building a small company with enthusiastic partners Jeff Kadish and Paul Zweben, who shared a similar courageousness. More than 15 years later, Main Street Restaurant Partners, the company founded by Steve and his associates, grew to include such recognizable restaurants as Union Pacific, Rain, Calle Ocho, BLT Prime and BarBao.

The Steven Scher Memorial Scholarship was established to award individuals interested in the culinary world who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, have a clear vision of their restaurant concept and the passion to see it through.

Scarpetta, which means "little shoe" or the shape bread takes when used to soak up a dish, recalls the pure pleasure of savoring a meal down to the very last bite, and is setting a new standard of dining in Miami Beach. Owner Scott Conant, The Fontainebleau Hotel, and the management of Scarpetta have been tremendous in their support of this event. David Collins, of David Collins Studio, who designed the stunning restaurant, is proud to support the memory of Steven Scher. Working with highly acclaimed chef Scott Conant, David Collins Studio has created a dream destination at 'Scarpetta' bringing together culinary expertise and design. The chefs preparing the meal on February 21 will further enhance that dream. Accommodations for participants have been generously donated by Canyon Ranch.

Tickets to this event are $200, and seating is limited. To purchase tickets go to www.tix.com or call The James Beard Foundation at 212-627-2308