Rocco Dispirito, Katy’s Courage Founders, And “The Independent” To Be Honored At “Love Bites”

The Scarlett Fund and Katy’s Courage are inviting East Enders to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit a little early this year during Love Bites. The annual multi-chef tasting event will take place at The Muses Southampton on Saturday, January 20.

“Katy’s Courage and The Scarlett Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan were pleased and proud to partner together for the Love Bites event, each receiving fifty percent of the net proceeds of this wonderful and soon to be well attended evening,” Katy’s Courage co-founder Jim Stewart, who is being honored, explained. “Katy’s Courage will use the funds toward growing our program for grieving children, teens and their families, Katy’s Kids @ CMEE, held in partnership with The Children’s Museum of The East End. The program was formed to honor Katy Stewart’s memory, a beautiful little girl who died after a courageous fight with a rare liver cancer.”

From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. several Hamptons favorites will present decadent, irresistible bites and sips as DJ Michael of East End Entertainment entertains the crowd. Participating eateries and celebrated chefs include Events by Peter Amberose, Khayyan Spanish Specialty Imports, Pig Beach, Elegant Affair, Old Stove Pub, Bell & Anchor, Smokin’ Wolf, Golden Pear, Saaz Indian, Rocco DiSpirito, The Seafood Shoppe, POPUP Conceptual Catering by Design, Insatiable Eats, Buoy One, Erica’s Rugelach, Sag Harbor Bake Shop, Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake, and Dreesen’s Donuts, while sips from Hampton Coffee Company, Chopin Vodka, Montauk Hard Label Whiskey, Keith’s Nervous Breakdown, Montauk Brewing Company, and Saratoga Water will be available.

In addition to showcasing a spectacular array of culinary offerings, the evening will also commemorate Stewart and Brigid Collins, founders of Katy’s Courage, The Independent and longtime Love Bites supporter Honorary Chef Rocco Dispirito. And, since it is a Valentine’s themed affair, attendees are encouraged to don “a flash of red.”

“Love Bites is such a wonderful event!” Collins added. “It honors two beautiful little girls, Scarlett James and the memory of Katy Stewart.”

Jennifer and Robert James founded The Scarlett Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in honor of their daughter, Scarlett, who was diagnosed with T Cell Lymphoma in 2013. The Fund’s mission is to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research, which support an innovative pediatric precision medicine initiative at MSK.

“The Scarlett Fund will use the funds to support pediatric cancer research at MSKCC where there is a continuous commitment to improving cancer therapies and their outcomes in children,” Stewart noted. “Because of your donations, we are able to ultimately honor two brave girls, providing grief support for those who have lost someone they love, as well as work toward helping to create a world where no child will ever have to experience cancer again.”

Founded in 2012, Katy’s Courage’s goal is to “foster kindness, happiness and wellbeing in the world through upholding its mission to ‘pass it on.'” The not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization is committed to raising funds to support local school scholarships, pediatric cancer research and Katy’s Kids @ CMEE.

“Both the Stewart and the James families are truly grateful to receive so much help for causes very near and dear to their hearts,” Collins said. “It’s a terrifically fun night out in January, where neighbors and friends come out to bring warm-hearted kindness and cheer to brighten the chilly month of January!”

Tickets to Love Bites begin at $125.

“Again, thank you from the core of our hearts for your kindness and generosity,” Stewart concluded. “Thank you to the wonderful chefs, restaurants, caterers and support staff from all of the wonderful restaurants and bakeries attending this year’s edition of Love Bites!”

A snow date is set for Saturday, January 27.

The Muses Southampton is located at 111 Saint Andrew Road in Southampton. For tickets or more information about Katy’s Courage, visit katyscourage.org. For more information about The Scarlett Fund, visit www.thescarlettfund.com.