Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published June 1, 2009 Executive Chef Of Ritz-Carlton Fighting For His Life Benefit For Chef Matt Murphy June 14, $65; 36 Chefs Signed On To Cook, More To Come Matt Murphy--the extraordinarily likeable, Irish-born chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel--is clinging to life right now. An invasive streptococcus infection has led to DIC--a condition in which blood clots form and interrupt normal blood flow throughout the body. He is in intensive care, and in need of blood donations. Go to Ochsner's Blood Bank at its Jefferson Highway facility if you can help. What makes this particularly worthy of your generosity is that Matt and his wife are the parents of eighteen-month-old quadruplets. And they have another child on the way. This raises the spectre of a family financial crisis. A fund to help Matt's family has been established at Capital One Bank. It's called the Matthew J. Murphy Donation Account, #2077720319. Donations will be accepted at any Capital One branch. As they always do, the chefs of the city have rallied around this worthy cause. There will be a fundraising benefit at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, June 14, 4-8 p.m. It is underpriced at $65; I recommend you give $100. Call 504-670-2828 to nail down tickets. Here's a partial list (more are signing on daily) of the chefs who'll be there serving food: 555 Restaurant: Mark Quitney Antoine’s: Michael Regua August, Luke, Besh Steak and La Provence: John Besh Bacco: Chris Montero Bayona: Susan Spicer Begue’s: Elizabeth Barlow (Royal Sonesta) Bourbon House: Neil Mockovack Café Adelaide: Chris Rusk Café Giovanni: Duke Locicero Chateau du Lac: Jacques Saleun Cochon and Herbsaint: Donald Link Commander’s Palace: Tory McPhail Cuvee and Rambla: Bob Iacovone Dante’s Kitchen: Emmanuel Loubier Emeril's Delmonico: Spencer Mench Chef John Folse Galatoire’s: Brian Landry GW Fins: Tenney Flynn K-Paul’s: Paul Prudhomme La Cote Brasserie: Wyatt Kennair La Petite Grocery: Justin Devillier Maurice’s Pastries: Jean-Luc Albin Mila: Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing Mr. B's: Michelle McRaney (crab cakes!) Muriel’s: Gus Martin Ralph's on the Park: Chip Flanagan Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group: Pastry Chef Tobi Dotson Redfish Grill: Gregg Collier Rib Room: Anthony Spizale Stella! and Stanley: Scott Boswell Sucre: Tariq Hannah Ritz-Carlton, Dallas: John Coleman Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans Trump Chicago: Frank Brunacci Vizard's: Kevin Vizard Windsor Court Grill Room: Drew Dzejak Wolfe’s: Tom Wolfe Zea: Greg Reggio When this many chefs of this caliber rush in, you know it's important. In addition to the eats and drinks, an auction of dinners, hotel stays, autographed cookbooks, and more will take place. Chef Matt and his family need a lot of help.  You can find out more about Matt's situation and his children here. Matt has been at the Ritz-Carlton since 2002, after a long stint at Commander's Palace as one of the top chefs de cuisine there. He is responsible for the excellence of the Melange restaurant in the hotel, and the rest of their food services. His loss would be a tragedy all around. Please help. Come to the party at the Ritz-Carlton: 504-670-2828. © 2009 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com