Fred Ferrara

By ALLISON SELK

Shaw Media correspondent

As the oldest of nine children, Fred Ferrara learned how to step up and make decisions in an organized manner. He learned not to be afraid of leadership roles, not to back away from a challenge.

Perhaps that’s why his titles of chef and educator fit him well.

Ferrara moved to Joliet in 1996 when he accepted a job as an instructor at Joliet Junior College. He brought with him a passion for a fundraiser, which used his talents as a chef to give back to his new community.

Ferrara had previously hosted the Great Chefs Tasting Party and Auction event in Florida, where he worked before he moved to Illinois. Twenty Chicagoland restaurants and caterers now prepare samples of their favorite dishes for participants to taste and vote upon. Live and silent auctions also bring in funds alongside ticket sales to benefit the Joliet United Cerebral Palsy Center for Disability Services (UCP-CDS).

“UCP-CDS was looking for a unique event to bring our community together,” UCP-CDS Executive Director Mike Hennessy said of Ferrara’s tasting event idea.

Ferrara said the event also offers volunteer opportunities to the students at UCP-CDS. The students who volunteer get to meet the chefs, and if they look for employment in these restaurants, a connection has already been made. Ferrara said at times the staff from the restaurant properties see how hard the students work at the event and tell them to fill out an application.

“The event helps students find connections for employment and the properties to find employees,” Ferrara said.

Hennessy said this event remains the organization’s largest fundraiser, although it has been postponed due to the pandemic. Funds raised were used to support the core programs it provides to the children and adults with disabilities, along with important support to their families.

“Over $3 million has been raised over the 25-year history of our Great Chefs Tasting Party and Auction,” Hennessy said.

Ferrara has been on the UCP-CDS board of directors for the past three years, something he said he wanted to tackle after he retired from Joliet Junior College. He was elected board secretary, chairs the development/ fundraising committee and serves on the bylaws committee. Ferrara said on top of the tasting event, he also helps to fundraise for other events such as the Great American Big Wheel Race each summer at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

When Ferrara arrived in Joliet, he began the Joliet chapter of the American Culinary Federation. He has held titles such as president and now currently sits on the board. He was on the JJC Culinary Advisory Board and was the Epicurean Club advisor.

“Chef Fred is a hardworking and dedicated individual who is so generous in giving of his time and talent to help others. We are so blessed to have Chef Fred involved in our organization,” Hennessy said.

“It’s a great feeling — I have the knowledge, I have the ability and make the time,” Ferrara said of his volunteer work in the Joliet community.