As a semi-professional food blogger, at this point I can for sure say food goes with almost anything. But when food goes with a good cause? Even better. At this year’s 2nd annual enCourage Kids Foundation Serving Up Smiles event there was much to be excited about as famous chefs from all different realms of cuisine  (Arcade Bakery, Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse, Bryant Park Grill, Buns Bar, Butter, Carlo’s Bake Shop, Cowfish, Melt Shop, and more) in the city helped raise money for enCourage Kids’ various programs for kids living with chronic illnesses.

Celebs n’ chefs:

Serving Up Smiles host Chris Nirschel:

Sun setting as the night kicked off at Chelsea Piers’ purple-lit Current, one of New York City’s newest waterfront event spaces at Pier 59:

Raffle prizes like these yummy chocolate gift baskets:

Poke served up by COWFISH in the Hampton Bays:

Dessert in style by The City Bakery:

And…carrot cakes from Carlo’s Bakery:

It’s not a party without The Pinot Project:

Cheers-ing to the night with some Disoronno Sour:

enCourage Kids has been helping children with their life improving programs for over 30 years and this is only a small portion of what the organization has done. For more info and how you can help be a part of the foundation visit encourage-kids.org.