
OC Chef’s Table, to benefit the Illumination Foundation will be celebrated on Sunday, March 12 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, to raise funds for the construction of a second emergency home for homeless families with children.
OC Chef’s Table is one of the county’s most exclusive charitable culinary events where OC’s top chefs come together to create a delectable five-course meal prepared tableside at tables decorated to reflect the personality and brand of each participating restaurant. Every restaurant and chef participating has been personally chosen to host a table at the gala due to their earned accolades for their impressive culinary skills or innovations.
At its second edition, OC Chef’s Table brings together over 30 of the best chefs in Orange County who agreed to create delicious and spectacular dishes to raise money and awareness on a very sensitive issue—homelessness.
“Nearly 1 in 6 children face homelessness in OC. There are too many families with children that struggle to secure a roof over their heads every night. It shouldn’t be like this. Children should have the right to a happy and stable childhood. We can’t thank these extraordinary chefs enough for accepting to donate their time, talent and culinary knowledge to help us build a second emergency house in Orange County,” said Paul Leon, Illumination Foundation CEO and President.
This year’s participating chefs include Michael Pham of Anchor Hitch Seafood & Raw Bar, Gino Buonanoce of Antonello, Salvatore Ferrara of Antonello, Josh LaQuet of Brio Tuscan Grill, Alejandro Guzman of Central Coast Peruvian, Zacahry Geerson of Citizen Kitchen, Justin Monson of Club 33, Jeff Moore of EATS Kitchen & Bar, Linda Johnson of Filmoneno’s Italian Kitchen, Mark Hagopit of House of Blues, Eduardo Albarra and Stephen LaFountain of Mastro’s, Niki Star of Mesa, Collin Thornton of AVEO Table + bar, Monarch Beach Resort, Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose, Unmerto Rubelli of Naples Ristorante, Omar Gonzalez of Nicks Restaurant, Rosendo Gonzalez of Nick’s Restaurant, Mark McDonald of Old Vine Café, Pascal Olhats of Pascal, Anthony Endy of Paul Martin’s, Colleen Flynn of Pizzeria Ortica, John Vega of Roy’s, Beau Macmillan of Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, Brian Grezer of Social, Ron Fougeray of Splashes at Surf and Sand Resort, Josh Lacuesta of Twenty Eight Restaurant & Bar, Ernie Alvarado of Urbana, Leo Razo of Villa Roma, Damon Gordon of Water Grill, Michael Doctulero of Waterman’s Harbor, Manfred Lassahn of Watertable.
During the event, guests will enjoy a cocktail party complete with appetizers and pictures with special guests, Mickey and Minnie, followed by a special performance by IF’s Children’s Resource Center choir and former Broadway performer, Michelle London. Matt Rogers, American Idol finalist and TV personality, will perform and host the live and silent auctions, featuring exotic trips. All proceeds will fund the construction of a new emergency home for families with children facing trauma or mental health problems.
For additional information regarding OC Chef’s Table, contact Sinae Bang at sbang@ifhomeless.org or 949.273.0555x204.
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