Love Bites: A Hamptons Winter Tasting and Dance Fundraiser

The Loves Bites fundraiser hosted by The Clubhouse Hamptons to benefit Katy’s Courage will take place on Saturday, March 12^th from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This event will feature top chefs, restaurants, and entertainment that can only be found on the East End.

Katy’s Courage is a non-profit organization that honors Katy Stewart, a precious little girl who inspired all who knew her throughout her short lifetime before she passed away of a rare pediatric cancer at 12 years old. Katy’s Courage was initially founded in 2012 by Katy’s parents, Brigid Collins and Jim Stewart, and their mission has always been to educate and support families and children through scholarships, children’s bereavement support, and pediatric cancer research. Brigid and Jim expressed that they are an ever-growing organization with a dedicated focus on expanding their abilities and resources to provide help for those who need it.

Love Bites is an annual fundraising event that was first started about 25 years ago by Linda Shapiro. The event has raised money for several different organizations over the years including Ellen’s Run, Scarlette Fund, and this year and most recently, Katy’s Courage. The event’s chef chairperson Peter Ambrose said, “The event was first organized with the idea of killing two birds with one stone, raising money for a great cause, and also offering a great night out in the winter. The event did not happen for about 10 years and now, other than a pause for Covid, we have hosted the event the last 7 years.”   

The fundraiser will feature numerous talented chefs from the East End with unlimited tastings, beer, wine, and specialty drinks. Peter Ambrose says, “The Culinary community in the Hamptons is amazing, great personalities, hardworking, and generous to a fault. Look at your kids’ little league uniform, fundraisers for local organic farms, homeless shelters, etc. that are usually assisted by or backed by someone or many in the culinary community as is Katy’s Courage Love Bites Event.” Peter Ambrose is frequently able to organize events with more than twenty participating chefs, and this one will be no different. With these contributing restaurants and caterers, Love Bites will be sure to be an evening of culinary delight!

Brigid and Jim of Katy’s Courage mentioned, “We have been fortunate to have a direct relationship with all of the fundraising events and our generous sponsors. They have all been started by friends. They are all vital to the support of all of our efforts.” Peter Ambrose similarly expressed the unmatched support of the Hamptons community when it comes to fundraising efforts and how important the Katy’s Courage mission is to him personally. He said, “There are so many great fundraising efforts in the Hamptons: MSK, Milken Group for Prostate Cancer, St. Jude, Waxman Foundation, Breast Cancer Coalition, and so on. Katy’s Courage means so much to me for several reasons. The Stewarts are dear friends of mine and my dad and Jim taught school together for many years at East Hampton High School. I feel like Katy’s Courage is “our cause,” meaning Eastern Long Island. These fundraisers are small successful events organized by folks donating time, food, and money while working 9-5s. All for a common cause.”

Love Bites is sure to be a fun night out with music and entertainment from East End Entertainment. Peter says, “Michael Variale [East End Entertainment] pulls double duty as not only a great organizer of the event but will be providing the music and mood as he is also our DJ extraordinaire for the evening.” Along with the delicious spread, great drinks, music and dancing, there will be a golf raffle and silent auction. And it’s all for a great cause! Brigid and Jim say what they are looking forward to most about Love Bites is: “Excellent food and music to be succinct. Everyone enjoys themselves and the silent auction is always amazing!”

Peter Ambrose echoes this sentiment by saying, “Our Goal is perceived value, and we manage to achieve it every year. You leave feeling good about yourself for helping a great cause and cannot believe how much fun you had!”

Tickets for Katy’s Courage can be purchased at https://www.eastendweddingsandevents.com/lovebites.