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Mary Pat Christie Rolls Out 'National Dine Out Day' For Sandy Relief

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Don't feel like cooking Wednesday?

Your decision to dine out can mean help for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

New Jersey's first lady, Mary Pat Christie, called on her friend chef David Burke to help spearhead her latest fundraising effort to benefit the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

CBS 2's Kristine Johnson met up with the duo in Chelsea to cook up a soft shell crab dish being served at Burke's Rumson restaurant Wednesday. Burke is donating 100 percent of the lunch proceeds and 50 percent of the dinner to the relief fund.

Chef David Burke, Mary Pat Christie and Kristine Johnson Before National Dine Out Day
Chef David Burke, Mary Pat Christie and CBS 2's Kristine Johnson meet ahead of National Dine Out Day for Hurricane Sandy relief on June 18, 2013. (credit: CBS 2)

"It's affordable for lunch and dinner," Burke said. "For dinner, we're doing $35 for four courses."

Christie convinced a number of other notable chefs, locally-owned restaurants and chains to participate in National Dine Out Day. The more you eat, the more they can donate.

"Go to breakfast, lunch and dinner," Christie said. "We have some really great chefs involved."

So far, more than 28,000 donors around the world have contributed to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief fund, raising more than $34 million.

For more information about National Dine Out Day, including participating restaurants across the country, click here.

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