Food Network's Chopped Winner & Millright's Owner Named Lead Chef for Signature Chefs Auction Benefiting The March of Dimes

Simsbury restaurant owner Tyler Anderson, Owner and Chef of Millwright's Restaurant & Tavern, and winner of the Food Network's 'Chopped,' has once again been named 'lead' chef for the annual Greater Hartford Signature Chefs Auction benefiting the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter.

The evening of culinary excellence will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Auction, the evening will feature the culinary mastery of some of the most acclaimed chefs in the Greater Hartford area. In his role as lead chef, Anderson will recruit fellow chefs from Greater Hartford establishments to participate, procure unique auction items, promote the event and share the March of Dimes Mission to motivate and inspire giving in support to give all babies a strong and

healthy start.

In addition to the generous sampling of cuisine from more than 20 of the area’s top restaurants, guests will enjoy a unique assortment of live and silent auction items and packages which will be highlighted by a variety of private experiences with the featured chefs as well as entertainment, travel and much more.

A California native, Tyler Anderson started working in kitchens at 16. And while he eventually left his native California, Anderson never left the kitchen. His move to Chicago not only helped him develop his palate; he credits his work with such notable chefs as Charlie Trotter, Sarah Stegner, and George Bumbaris of Prairie Grass Café and Chicago’s Ritz Carlton as influencing his culinary style.

While Anderson was at The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton, the restaurant was awarded the highest Zagat rating in America, and received a Mobil Five-Star rating. Following his mentors to\ the Prairie Grass Café, Anderson helped the restaurant achieve a three-star rating from the Chicago Tribune and recognition as one of the “50 Hottest Restaurants” in the U.S. by Bon Appétit. When he decided to leave Chicago, New England was his next stop where he would take the region by storm.

It was while working in Vermont that Anderson grew to love New England, its local farms and artisan producers. He eventually settled in Connecticut and was head of all culinary operations at the Copper Beach Inn in Essex.

In 2009 Anderson competed and won against two of the nation’s top chef’s on the Food Network’s “Chopped”, and has since gone on to appear in “Beat Bobby Flay”, also featured on the Food Network.

In 2012 he moved on from The Copper Beech Inn to open Millwrights in Simsbury, Connecticut. Anderson and his wife Sonja live with their two children, Averi and Gaven, near the ocean in Westbrook, Connecticut.

“I am honored that the March of Dimes asked me to serve as the lead chef for the 20th anniversary of their annual fundraiser. Millwright’s participated in the Signature Chefs Auction last year and we were highly impressed by the level of attention and passion that goes into organizing these events, and look forward to helping make it the most successful fundraiser yet,” said Anderson.

Premature birth is the most serious infant health problem in the United States today. It affects nearly half a million babies nationwide each year, including 1 in 10 babies in Connecticut.

Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have lifelong disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reversing this trend by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and developing strategies to prevent it.

Signature Chefs Auction reserved tables of 10 ($1,500) and individual tickets ($150) are on sale now at signaturechefs.org/hartford.

The March of Dimes thanks sponsors Image Marketing Consultants, Aetna, Pullman and Comley, Torrington Eyecare and NBC Connecticut for its support.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With markets nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.