A memorial celebration has been planned for Chef Todd Moore, former Lake Park Bistro chef de cuisine on Sunday, Dec. 30 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St.

Moore passed away suddenly on Thursday, Nov. 8, leaving behind a host of family including his parents, sister, his partner Magin T. Razo and his beloved daughter Sabine ("Bean") Nola Moore. In his brief years, he made his mark on the Milwaukee area food scene, forging friendships with area chefs, supporting them in their endeavors and sharing his love for old world wines, simple pleasures and the Grateful Dead.

Moore spent a good portion of his adult life dedicated to culinary and food-related pursuits, working with entities including Turtle Creek Gardens in Delavan, Wisconsin; cooking at Chicago’s Longman & Eagle and working with Paul Kahan of Blackbird; and eventually working his way toward the position of Chef de Cuisine at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro.

From there, he harnessed his passion for sustainably raised, responsibly sourced meats by founding Jefferson Township Meats, a boutique meat company focused on sourcing heritage breeds of beef and pork for food service customers in Chicago and Milwaukee. Most recently, he has shared his passion with chefs throughout the nation through his work with Strauss Brands, a a national leader in ethical and humane livestock practices.

Remembering Moore

During the memorial celebration on Dec. 30 – a date which would have marked Moore’s 46th birthday – friends and family will gather to remember Moore, pay tribute to his life and offer support to those he left behind.

Donations will also be accepted for the Todd Moore Memorial Fund, which has been established to offset future educational expenses for his daughter. In kind, there will also be raffle tickets sold during the event, with all proceeds benefiting the fund.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., friends and family will also be invited to join Kyle Cherek and Magin Razo in sharing remembrances of Moore and his life.

During the event, appetizers will be provided by local restaurants including The Bartolotta Restaurants, Batches, Bavette La Boucherie, Birch + Butcher, Ca' Lucchenzo, DanDan, Fauntleroy, Goodkind as well as fine meats donated by Moore’s former employer, Strauss Meats and Neesvigs. Proceeds from a cash bar will support the established educational fund for Sabine. The event will also feature a remembrance playlist comprised of selections from Moore’s extensive vinyl collection curated by Jordan Lee of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee.

Guests planning to attend the event are kindly asked to register on Facebook.