CWM Gala of Chefs

Gala cooks up $149,000 for Circus World Museum

Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic

Sunday’s fundraiser at Circus World Museum brought in about $149,000 for the educational and historical facility.
Dollars are still coming in, said CWM Executive Director Steve Freese, adding that he is confident the museum will reach its goal of raising $150,000 through the Circus of Chefs Gala.
"We are so close right now," Freese said.
More than 520 people attended the event, which featured fanciful entrees, appetizers, desserts and beverages made in southern Wisconsin, Freese said.
The 2007 gala had a goal of $110,000 and brought in $158,000. The 2008 event brought in a record-breaking $191,000.
The event is a major source of revenue for CWM, which is under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Judges evaluated entries from more than 30 restaurants, breweries and wineries and crowned the best of the best with "Silver Tray" awards.
Four firms put forth $10,000 sponsorships for the event, including The Baraboo National Bank, Boldt Builds — Oscar J. Boldt Construction, Full Compass Systems, Ltd., and Hoffman Construction.
Seven other firms offered $5,000 sponsorships, including Capital Newspapers, CEBO Industries, Culver’s Franchising Systems, Inc., Gialamas Company, John Goodall Jr./John I. Hay Foundation, Kraemer Company and Kraemer Brothers, LLC and Teel Plastics, Inc.
CWM listed 25 other firms as $1,250 sponsors.