Garry’s Grill, Celebrity Chef Vic Vegas Partner For Charity Event

Celebrity Chef Vic Moea, known as Vic Vegas, has always had a lot on his plate, whether he was vying for the title of Food Network Star or “Chopped” champion. His newest endeavor will bring him to Garry’s Grill on September 26 for a fundraiser to support the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) and provide meals for families in need.

Garry’s Grill owner Eddie Conway heard through the grapevine that UM BWMC had provided meals for 150 to 200 families since the start of the pandemic. He wanted a way to help the hospital and also the community.

When Walter Anderson approached Conway about teaming up with his friend, Vegas, who is best known for his show “Bar Rescue” on the Food Network, the plan was set in motion.

“It started off with talks of doing a meet-and-greet at Garry’s with chef [Vegas] and it kind of snowballed from there,” Anderson said.

After exchanging information, the trio started organizing the fundraiser.

Conway described both him and Vegas as “go big or go home type of people” and he wanted it to show through this event.

The event will raise funds for the hospital and also provide five meals for each family who signs up.

“I want to help out UM BWMC … and want people to know in tough times there are always opportunities to rise above,” Conway said.

Both Anderson and Vegas came up with the menu together.

“We wanted to pay tribute to the different places Chef has been featured,” Anderson said.

Five places will be featured for each menu item. For Vegas, there is going to be prime rib. For California, there will be a mix of greens and quinoa, avocado and tuna salad. For Memphis, there is going to be pulled pork with rolls and coleslaw. For Staten Island, there will be a meatball hero, and to represent Maryland, a crab dish will be served.

In addition to a themed menu, there will be a live auction, a DJ and the debut of the Garry’s Grill food truck. The truck will serve a few appetizers from Garry’s Grill. Feature drinks will be made with Deep Eddy vodka, which is also sponsoring the food truck.

The food truck will swap its menu each week. The goal of the truck is to travel to different beaches, youth sports sites (when sports return) and big businesses.

This is just one of four food trucks that will be associated with Garry’s Grill over time.

Both Conway and Anderson described each other as the most giving person they have worked with. They also have plenty of gratitude for Vic Vegas.

“Working with Vegas is working with someone like me,” Conway said. “It’s a great experience.”

After Anderson asked Nicole Baker from WJZ-TV to cover the event and the station also agreed to sponsor it, more sponsors came forward. Among those sponsors are UM BWMC, Anderson Minuteman Press in Glen Burnie and Tommy Gatz Entertainment.

To ensure everyone’s safety and ensure social distancing rules are followed, the fundraiser will take place outside on a fully enclosed patio with an open roof.

“It depends on the guidelines set, and everyone’s safety is our main priority,” Conway said.

The event will host 150 people and will most likely be split into three time slots, holding 50 people each. Tickets will be sold soon at Garry’s Grill.

The restaurant will also host a blood drive on September 11 from 8:00am to 2:00pm, and 48 people can sign up.

For more information about both upcoming events, find updates on the “Garry’s Grill & Catering” Facebook page.

Conway has been the owner of Garry’s Grill for 12 years. He said he is “not cooking just to cook but cooking for families and bringing the community together.”