A former contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef” is organizing a fundraiser next month to benefit students, teachers and families that were affected by last month’s fatal field trip crash, reports northjersey.com.
The May 17 crash hit close to home for Bruce Kalman, the owner and head chef for Los Angeles-based restaurants Union and Knead & Co. Pasta Bar. The chef is also from Paramus and attended East Brook Middle School, where the field trip originated, and he is also the father of a one year old.
A 10-year old student and a teacher were killed and others were injured when the bus driver attempted to make an illegal u-turn on Highway 80. The vehicle was struck by a dump truck, which completely sheared the bus body from its chassis.
Kalman called his chef friends, and 27 agreed to participate in the July 12 event at The Terrace at Biagio’s Ristorante in Paramus. Kalman will be joined by his castmates from “Top Chef,” as well as Adam Gertlier, owner of the Dog Haus franchises, John Tesar of Knife in Dallas and other local chefs.
