Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, announced that Chef Erin Harleman owner of The Saucy Plate, a Wayland-based personal chef service, was the winner of the cooking competition at its 2026 Chopped for Charity Gala on May 1, at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord. More than 200 people took part in the event, which raised over $200,000 for Open Table and its programs.
Chef Erin Harleman’s winning dish was shakshuka, a traditional Middle Eastern vegetarian entree that combines eggs, chickpeas, and vegetables in a cumin-spiced sauce, and the secret ingredients of chocolate and toasted pumpkin seed oil. The dish was artfully plated with feta cheese and a slice of sourdough bread.
“Chopped for Charity Gala is a testament to the kind and generous community that we are a part of,” said Alexandra DePalo, Open Table executive director. “This event comes at a time when food insecurity is at record levels in Massachusetts and the people we serve are more vulnerable than ever. I want to thank each and every person who contributes to our mission to end hunger in our local community.”
