FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2019
Alumnus to receive one of school’s highest honors at 51st Annual Green + Gold Gala on Saturday, March 2nd
Chicago, IL – Saint Patrick High School announced it will honor one of Chicago’s best-known restaurateurs Phil Stefani, a 1968 graduate of the oldest all-male Catholic high school in the city, with its Saint Patrick Legacy Award. The award, given to an alumnus who represents the values of Saint Patrick High School and has demonstrated an extraordinary, lifelong commitment to its tradition, is one of the school’s highest honors.
“I am honored to receive the Saint Patrick Legacy Award from an institution so steeped in tradition,” Phil Stefani said. “Saint Patrick High School develops leaders in society by maintaining an unwavering commitment to civic responsibility, strong personal values and educational excellence. Its history and mission speak for itself. I am grateful, not only for the recognition, but to be a part of the Shamrock family.”
Stefani was born and raised in Chicago and started his career as the owner of Travel Associates. Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants began in 1980 with the opening of Stefani’s on Fullerton Avenue and over the past thirty-eight years, its twelve restaurants have become a staple of the Chicago restaurant scene, building a loyal following of locals, celebrities, conventioneers, and politicians.
Throughout his career, Stefani has been involved with many committees and held positions on various Boards including Chairman of the Convention and Tourism Bureau. A renowned philanthropist, Stefani formed The Stefani Children’s Charities in 1998 and to date, has distributed over $3,000,000 to local children’s charities including: Children’s Memorial, After School Matters, Misericordia, Maryville Academy, Mercy Boys Home and Cystic Fibrosis.
“It is my distinct honor to recognize Phil Stefani at this year’s Green + Gold Gala,” said Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt, AFSC, President of Saint Patrick High School. “Phil embodies what it means to be a Shamrock in that he has made a significant impact on the people of the city of Chicago, not only through his career, but with his generosity to causes he cares deeply about.”
The Saint Patrick Legacy Award will be presented to Stefani at the Green + Gold Gala on Saturday, March 2nd. The event, held at Local 399 Banquets in Chicago, will be catered by Stefani family-owned Inspired Catering & Events. In its 51st year, the Gala raises funds to provide financial support to the young men who attend Saint Patrick High School.
Limited seating is still available for this year’s Gala but tickets must be purchased by Friday, February 15. For more information, please visit www.stpatrick.org/greenandgold
ABOUT PHIL STEFANI RESTAURANT GROUP
Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants is a Chicago restaurant group made up of various Italian restaurants and seafood restaurants throughout Chicago. Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants includes: Stefani Prime, The Flamingo Rum Club, Bar Cargo, Broken English Taco Pub (3 Locations), MAD Social, Tuscany Restaurant (3 Locations), Castaways Bar & Grill, Miller Lite Beer Garden, Crystal Garden on Navy Pier/Chango Loco, Tavern on Rush, RIVA Crab House and Museum Campus Café.
ABOUT SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
Now in its’s 158th year, Saint Patrick is the oldest all-male Catholic high school in Chicago. Its mission is to provide an educational experience of the highest quality which enables young men to develop their maximum potential as lifelong learners and assets to society and the Church. Saint Patrick welcomes students of other religious beliefs, varying academic abilities, and diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students reside in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs and come from more than 70 different elementary schools.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
773.282.8844 ext. 231
jsloan@stpatrick.org
