Chappell Confidential

I was excited to kick off the first annual Cupcakes & Champagne with the Joffrey Auxiliary Board (JAB) last month in Lakeview at Vanite Salon, 3161 N. Halsted. Hosted by fellow JAB member and ChicagoPride.com's very own Kinley Preston, the evening welcomed JAB members and non-members for an intimate social that provided an inside look into the junior arts board and engaged members with one another as well as potential new ones. In addition to champagne and cupcakes courtesy of Sugar Hills Bakery, guests also enjoyed discounted salon services and received a special invite and look into JAB's upcoming Blue Masquerade Ball this Friday, June 14 at the Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph from 8pm to midnight. A huge thank you for Kinley for being such a gracious host, Jacob Neminarz of Sugar Hills Bakery for his delish custom cupcakes, and of course Kinley's amazing staff. Cupcakes & Champagne with the Joffrey Auxiliary Board will be a quarterly event, so if you missed last month's event no worries, our next one will be in September. Keep a look out for the invite!

Now, while the big gurl inside me was elated to be invited to a special media tasting of Japonais' new burger menu, White Castle will always have first plate with these taste buds. However, I must say Japonais' burger menu will be sharing first plate with my infamous sliders. I realize this is like comparing a filet mignon with the Aldi's addition, but what can I say, my tastes are extreme. The usual sushi destination located at 600 W. Chicago placed a culinary spin to their selections with a varied burger menu that included salmon and kangaroo burgers. The burger update was in honor of National Burger Day. Although the salmon and kangaroo burgers are no longer available, the restaurant's classic Japonais burger and black cod sliders are available throughout the year. Since Chicago finally has gotten itself together with the weather, I recommend the black cod sliders for its light and ease on the palate. My personal favorite was the kangaroo burger for its creative approach to the usual mundane hamburger patti. I'm no food critic, but I know when my stomach and the inner big gurl is pleased. She was pleased and even took a to-go bag! Not to mention, I just love culinary extremes; kudos to Sous Chef Burke Snipes for putting together a tasty burger menu!

I guess I must have enjoyed my time at Japonais so much because I came back to attend the Chefs in the City kick-off party. Japonais' riverwalk terrace welcomed guests for an evening of Grety Goose custom cocktails, noshes, and above all Vital Bridges' mission to help men, women, and children impacted by HIV and AIDS. I must say that the Vital Bridges crowd is a good-looking set of budding philanthropists. So, while I was there to support the charity's mission, I did scope out a few potentials. Bottom line, $2,400 was raised at just the kick-off party alone.

I had an awesome time during my photo shoot for the upcoming Fred Says calendar to help support the charity's mission of helping HIV+ teens. My early Sunday 10am call time may have been a bit of a struggle, but the nonprofit's founder, Robert Garofalo, adorable little pup Fred made it that much more fun and worth it. The shoot took place at Room Service, 5438 N. Clark St, in Andersonville, which is an inviting boutique home furnishings store specializing in vintage and mid-century décor. While all the fellow models were definite hotties, Fred was of course the star of the show. Once my photographer pointed his camera, I did my best long hair don't care and struck a pose! Thank you Robert and Zach Stafford for allowing me to be a part of such a great organization. Also, thank you glam team for making this post-apocalyptic Saturday night zombie come to life! Keep a look out for the 2014 calendar. Proceeds from the calendar will go to benefit Fred Says and its' mission.

And just in time for my pre-30 crisis, I was tapped as an honoree for Windy City Times' 30 Under 30 - I'm honored and humbled. I'll be joining an impressive list of fellow LGBT activists, influencers, allies, and overall leaders who help to shape and make our community. I'm also honored to be sharing the list with Zach Stafford, Nico Lang, Joe Erbentraut, Joy Messinger, Leon Andrew Hensley, and Jen Sabella. I can't wait to meet the other honorees! Windy City Times will host an intimate ceremony on Thursday, June 27 in the hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted at 5:30pm. I'll be sure to keep you updated!