Top Chef Coming to North Andover to Benefit Homeless

Spring is in the air, and soon so will be the smell of delicious cuisine.

Kristen Kish, famous Boston chef and winner of the 10th season of Bravo Network's "Top Chef," will be in North Andover on May 8 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Rogers Center for the Performing Arts at Merrimack College.

Kish's appearance will be the start of the new Spring Celebrity Series at the Rogers Center to benefit Emmaus, an organization devoted to helping homeless families.

You food-focused reality TV buffs will recognize Kish from the recent series of "Top Chef," in which Kish was eiminated in one of the later episodes but returned during the "Last Chance Kitchen" phase and won (the first contestant to do so).

Here's a video on the Bravo website of Kish discussing her amazing victory.

And local food enthusiasts may know her work at Stir Boston, a South End demonstration kitchen where she is chef de cuisine.

“I like knowing the happiness from their experience will remain with guests long after they leave,” Kish said in a release regarding her rustic French cooking style.

At the Rogers Center, Kish will prepare a dish, discuss techniques and answer questions.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m., and there is a VIP reception beginning at 6:15 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25. VIP tickets are $75 each and include a private reception with the chef before the presentation. There will be a silent auction as well.

Proceeds will benefit Emmaus programs including emergency shelter, adult education and meals.

"The celebration of food is akin to the celebration of life," Emmaus Executive Director Jeanine Murphy said. "This philosophy that Chef Kish and we at Emmaus share coincides with Emmaus’ mission of dignity and hope for all those experiencing homelessness."

To order tickets, visit http://conta.cc/WHm2sK.