Kith & Kin to Host Benefit for Derek Crumpton

Kith & Kin will host a benefit in memory of Derek Crumpton, a one-time K&K chef who passed away in February after being put into a medically induced coma following a bout of walking pneumonia. Crumpton moved up to Chicago from Florida to work with chefs Andrew Brochu and David Carrier to help open the Southern-inspired Lincoln Park restaurant; the two remained close with Crumpton and Brochu is now helping spearhead the benefit.

The event takes place April 11 starting at 6:30 and will include live music, a raw bar and a hot dog station to honor Crumpton's last business, Derek's Dogs & Deli . The $40 contribution also gets you access to plenty of drinks, which are being supplied by the likes of Half Acre, Goose Island, Pops for Champagne, Fair Vodka, Hum, Koval, Olmeca Altos, Rare Tea Cellars, Dark Matter Coffee and Southern Wine & Spirits. Food will be donated by Supreme Lobster, Plitt Seafood and others.

All money raised at the event will go to help cover Crumpton's funeral costs as well as a college fund for his daughter. And you can help increase that amount by bidding on some stellar silent auction items, including a 10-course tasting at Graham Elliot, dinner for two at Sprout, gift certificates to L20 and Blue 13, one hour photo session with the excellent photographer Hugh Galdones, a bottle of 2000 Dom Perignon's Warhol bottle and more.

The organizers want to make this a party in a relaxed setting where everyone can honor Crumpton's life. "We want it to be like a house party but at the restaurant," Brochu said."

· Chef Derek Crumpton Passes Away After Weeks on Life Support; Benefit Being Planned