The Rev was strong in revelry Saturday as a premier culinary-focused social event returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
About 3,000 guests hit the speedway to partake in dishes prepared by chefs at some of the area’s best restaurants, and to raise money for the Indiana University Health Foundation.
The event, which usually takes place in May ahead of the Indianapolis 500, was canceled in 2020 and pushed to the later date in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Outside of some COVID-19-related precautions — foods served in individual disposable packaging, more areas of the speedway being used to allow for social distancing, and Larnell Alan masks made available for inside activities — guests didn’t appear to miss a beat from the melding of glam and racing culture seen at prior Revs.
They walked the red carpet in racing-themed attire; got hair and beauty touch ups at DryBar and Saks Fifth Avenue booths; kissed the bricks; took laps around the track; and took photos with the Indianapolis 500 Borg-Warner trophy.
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And to facilitate the flitting between the live entertainment stages and the DJ party at Yard of Bricks, revelers swapped out their heels for flip flops and slippers at a shoe check-in.
Of course, the highlight was the tasting of foods from more than 50 chefs, their offerings inspired by IndyCar drivers.
Just Pop In’s Mandy Selke and Carly Swift created flavors of popcorn based on Alexander Rossi’s favorite snacks, pumpkin pie and ranch-flavored Doritos.
Chefs Ben Hardy and Sam Moehle of Gallery Pastry Bar and Gallery Pastry offered French macarons and chocolate croissants, inspired by their driver partner IndyCar rookie Romain Grosjean, who was this year’s honorary Rev chair.
The 2021 celebrity chef Jeff McInnis, co-owner of Root & Bone restaurants, served a fried green tomato BLT made with pimento cheese, bacon and tomato jam. He was paired with buddy and driver James Hinchcliffe, a past honorary Rev chair.
Hinchcliffe was injured in a crash while practicing for the Indy 500 in 2015. He recovered and would score a pole position in the next year’s race (and come in second place in “Dancing with the Stars”), thanks to an assist from of the programs Rev funds.
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Money raised supports IU Health statewide trauma and critical care programs; providing care for drivers and patrons at the IU Health Emergency Medical Center located at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Crystal Miller, president of IU Health Foundation, said she expected Saturday’s event to net $600,000 to $800,000. Rev has raised more than $5 million since its start in 2014.
New this year was the addition of a live art exhibit curated by the GANGGANG creatives promotion initiative, as sponsored by the IU Health Department of Neurosurgery.
“That’s a great representation of a unique area of Indianapolis within our arts community. And it’s a great connection between arts and science,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of connection between art and healing.”
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The art installation added another element to Rev’s connection of racing, health and food, which is expanding to help communities challenged by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Rev is going from one-night event to multiple nights during the year that are an opportunity for the food community, the health community and the racing community to come together,” Miller said.
In early May, a Rev event had four chefs serve meals at Wheeler Mission Shelter for Men in downtown Indianapolis.
This year, the organization is requesting donations to support frontline healthcare workers and restaurants through its IU Health Foundation Fueling Rev Chefs & IU Health Frontline Heroes initiative. Money raised will provide chef-made meals to healthcare workers.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
