The culinary community is rallying around chef Nick Moulton of Mezze who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. A GoFundMe has been set up for his family and two benefits are planned this weekend.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — County chefs have banded together to support one of their own during a medical emergency.

On Sunday, there will be two benefit events for Mezze Bistro and Bar's Nick Moulton, who learned that he has a cancerous brain tumor after suffering a grand mal seizure in late August.

A "Team Moulton" benefit event will take place at The Break Room at Greylock Works in North Adams from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and a "Cooks for Cooks" barbecue fundraiser is being held at Cantina 229 in New Marlborough from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This will give the North and South County communities a chance to support Moulton and his family.

Moulton, who is the executive chef and co-owner of Mezze, is the visionary of the farm-to-table eatery's menu and has fed countless happy customers over the years.
 
He has also worked as the head chef at Public Eat and Drink in North Adams, sous chef at former The Orchards Hotel in Williamstown, and has had stages and apprenticeships at Blantyre (Relais & Chateaux), Wheatleigh, L'espalier, and Craigie on Main.

"That's what I find so amazing about this is that his true peers in the industry are coming together to make this happen," Mezze co-founder Bo Peabody said.

"And it bodes well for all chefs in the Berkshires to see this type of support when someone's going through something."

A GoFundMe fundraiser that was made for the family has nearly reached its goal of $75,000. Moulton underwent a craniotomy and is having lengthy radiation treatment and chemotherapy, according to the page.

He is a husband and father of three young children.

Cantina 229 chef Oliver Antunes said the restaurant feels it is the right thing to do and is happy to support the cause. Having worked with Moulton in the past, he said he is a great father and chef and is an important community member of Williamstown and Berkshire County.

"As a restaurant, it is our best way, only way to raise awareness and show our support for him and his family," Antunes wrote.

"Chefs in Berkshire County are a tight-knit community and I believe we all need to help each other out whether it's a restaurant/business issue or something more personal."

The South County event will feature a menu from Cantina and other eateries including Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough and Prairie Whale and Mooncloud in Great Barrington.

Peabody said Mezze has been focused on maintaining the 10-year legacy that Moulton has set until he is able to return.

"We've just been laser-focused on making sure that we can continue to operate in a way that is consistent with what he's built," he said.

A recent catering event made Peabody reflect on Moulton's influence. While he wasn't able to be at the event, hundreds of people were thrilled with the food that he dreamt up.

"I always tell entrepreneurs that the sign of a great company is when the company is bigger than you. It continues to go on even if you aren't there and that's what Nick has built," he said.

"He's built together with me and [co-founder and proprietor Nancy Thomas] and [co-owner and catering director Linda Stripp] a thing that just can turn out up to 250 meals without him actually having to be there and that's a huge thing. I think of all the things, that's a testament to him and how strong he is and that's what will get him through this and get his family through this."

Tickets for the North Adams event can be found at various businesses in the area including Mezze,  Grazie and the Break Room. For more information on the New Marlborough event, email cantina229restaurant@gmail.com.

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