11-Year-Old Chef to Host Fundraiser

Jack Witherspoon is no ordinary chef. For one, he's 11 years old. For another, he's battled acute lymphocytic leukemia on and off since he was 2 years old.

As a 6-year-old in 2006, enduring frequent hospital stays due to a relapse of the leukemia, Jack developed a passion for cooking.

Watching the Food Network to occupy his mind, he "got hooked on cooking," he writes on his Chef Jack website's blog. "It didn't take long before I decided my dream was to be a chef just like the ones I saw on TV."

To help Jack realize his dream of becoming a chef, parents Lisa and John Witherspoon of Redondo Beach, organized an annual fundraiser called "Cooking Up Dreams." The first event was held in 2007.

The events have raised nearly $100,000 and enabled the family to establish the Jack Witherspoon Permanent Endowment at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, where Jack receives treatment. All proceeds go to pediatric leukemia research.

In addition to the "Cooking Up Dreams" event, Jack on Wednesday at in Redondo Beach. Fifteen percent of the restaurant and bar sales for the entire day will be donated to the endowment.

Jack and his family, including his brother Josh, will be at the restaurant at 6:30 p.m. to meet and greet the public.

"We are truly blessed to live in this wonderful community where people have shown us such compassion and kindness," Jack's mom, Lisa Witherspoon, wrote in an email. "Jack and our family appreciate all the prayers and good wishes that have been sent our way."

Unfortunately, Jack's cancer has returned for a third time. Along with much more aggressive treatment, he requires a bone marrow transplant. In preparation for the surgery, he has spent the last month in the hospital getting large doses of chemotherapy. Before he begins the transplant phase in August, Jack will be home to spend time with his family and friends.

On a happier note, Jack's first cookbook, Twist It Up, will be released by Chronicle Books in the fall, and it’s already available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

In the book, which he wrote with (not by, mind you) his mother, Jack shares 60 of his favorite comfort-food recipes and tells his amazing story, which includes television appearances on the Jay Leno and Bonnie Hunt shows.

For those who may want to donate privately, go to Chef Jack's website at chefjackwitherspoon.com and click on Jack's Philanthropy. From there go to Jack's Endowment (highlighted), which links to Long Beach Memorial Foundation's website. Donations go directly to Jack's fund, which benefits leukemia research.

Donations on behalf of Chef Jack Witherspoon may also be contributed to the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation.

Tapas & Vino is located at 1729 S. Catalina Ave. in Riviera Village. Reservations will be accepted from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call 310-791-8200 for more information.