Remembering Lauren Chapin

​Lauren Chapin, the longtime restaurant critic for the Kansas City Star, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm at age 50 in December 2008. She was survived by her husband, Tim Finn, and two teenage daughters, Brenna and Maren. The month after her death, Kansas City’s restaurant community rallied around Chapin’s family by mounting a sell-out fundraiser, Four Stars for Lauren, to raise college funds for the young women.

A second Four Stars for Lauren fundraiser has been organized for Thursday, June 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the event space at Boulevard Brewery, 2501 Southwest Boulevard. The brewery and more than 20 local restaurants and eight wine, beer and beverage vendors have donated food and services to the event. Tickets may be purchased at fourstars.eventbrite.com or by calling Jenny Kinkaid at 816-550-4382.

Funds raised will be donated to the BrenMaren College Fund for Chapin’s daughters and the newly established Lauren Chapin Memoral Scholarship Fund at Johnson County Community College’s culinary program. A donation will also be made in Chapin’s name to the Midwest Transplant Network; Lauren was a multiple organ donor at her death.