18th Annual Chef’s Gala – Another Delicious Success!

If you were lucky enough to attend this year’s Chef’s Gala, you already know it was one of the best and most delicious evenings in the event’s 18-year history.

Maybe it was the debut of the new martini bar or just that people are starting to feel more hopeful, but there was a renewed sense of fun and enjoyment that was evident from start to finish.   

Kathy Brown of Thumbprint Marketing captured the elegance and excitement of the evening in live interviews with many of the nearly 1,000 guests as they arrived on the red carpet. A perfect May evening and the beautiful backdrop of the Epcot World Showcase only added to the ambiance.   

During the champagne and martini reception, guests mingled over drinks and bid on fine art, jewelry, travel getaways and other exclusive silent auction items. But needless to say, it was the fabulous variety of tantalizing food and wine that drew the most raves.   

As you can see from the menu and photos, the chefs really outdid themselves this year. Thanks to them, as well as the generosity of Disney – our host and sponsor for the past 18 years – and other sponsors and vendors, a full 95% of all money raised will go to help Central Floridians in need.  

Many thanks also go our terrific Chef’s Gala co-chairs, Sandy Hostetter, President of CNLBank; and Peter Kacheris, Managing Director of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. We also want to thank our Silent Auction co-chairs, Ed DeAguilera and Belinda Ortiz, Director of Economic Development for the City of Kissimmee.

Above all, we are grateful to you, our guests, and hope you had a terrific evening. We look forward to seeing you again next year!  

Click here to view Chef’s Gala 2010 photos.

Tantalize Your Taste Buds with the Most Creative, Flavorful Cuisine This Side of the Food Network

As anyone who’s ever attended Chef’s Gala knows, it’s one of the best opportunities around to savor the most creative, flavorful cuisine served this side of the Food Network.

With more than 20 of the region’s most talented (and competitive) chefs showcasing their culinary talents, the results are bound to be amazing. This year, though, they’re really outdoing themselves.

 Here are just a few of the dishes they’ll be serving: 

• Porcini-rubbed Filet Mignon with Sam’s Mashed Potatoes
• Pan-seared Buffalo with Herb Goat Cheese Polenta and Ancho-Cherry Compote
• Lobster Bruschetta—Olive Oil-seared Ciabatta with Lobster, Tomato, Avocado, and Fresh Herbs topped with Tarragon Aïoli
• and Fresh ChilesBasque-style Tuna with Espelette Polenta, Late Spring Vegetables, Niçoise Olive, and Idiazábal Cheese

 Think it can’t get any better? Now imagine each flavorful dish paired with a perfectly selected  glass of wine. Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re in heaven – or at least Napa. 

If you love fabulous food and wine, don’t miss this terrific opportunity to savor the best of both – while helping local people in need. Tickets are going fast! Get yours now.

Food Isn’t the Only Excitement at Chef’s Gala – Check Out These Exclusive Silent Auction Items!

In addition to great food and wine, Chef’s Gala also features an elegant Silent Auction that offers guests a chance to take home some really exciting items, including travel getaways, entertainment packages, fine art and more. 

Here’s a sneak preview of what’s in store for this year:   

• A two-night, deluxe-room stay at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, including a spa visit, massages and dinner for two at the Bull & Bear Steakhouse
• An Orlando Magic basketball autographed by Dwight Howard, plus a week of basketball camp
• Two round-trip tickets on JetBlue Airways
• A luxury suite behind home plate for you and 18 friends at a Tampa Bay Rays Game  
• Four annual combo passes for SeaWorld Aquatica, two passes for the Discovery Cove Dolphin Interaction Program and other exclusive offerings.

 Many thanks to all the companies and individuals who have generously donated auction items. Special kudos also go to our Silent Auction Co-Chairs – Ed DeAguilera, Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando; and Belinda Ortiz, Economic Development Director for the City of Kissimmee.

 See you at Chef’s Gala!

Chef’s Gala – A Food & Wine Lovers’ Delight

Once, not very long ago, creative cuisine in Central Florida ranged from alligator nuggets to luau fare, but as our region has grown and matured, so has our appreciation – and array – of amazing and sophisticated world-class food.

From the fresh, inspired creations of America’s top celebrity chefs to the bold, exciting flavors of Asia and Africa, there’s no better place to sample our region’s finest culinary offerings than at Chef’s Gala, on May 15.

If you’ve never attended, Chef’s Gala is a food and wine lovers’ delight that features the best dishes of the region’s 20-plus top chefs, along with thoughtfully paired wines. It’s a fun, delicious and elegant evening, which also raises much-needed dollars to help local people in need.

Still unconvinced? Here’s just a few of the incredible menu items:

• Basque-rubbed Veal Loin with Feta-Herb Saltsa, presented by Kouzzina by Cat Cora®, Disney’s BoardWalk
• Lamb Polpettine Panino with Mint and Spring Vegetable Salsa and Butterscotch Pudding, offered by La Luce by Donna Scala, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
• Basque-style Tuna with Espelette Polenta, Late Spring Vegetables, Niçoise Olive, and Idiazábal Cheese, created by Todd English’s bluezoo

Ready to enjoy? Click here to learn more.

Chef’s Gala – A taste you don’t want to miss!

Had the chance to get an inside peek into this year’s Chef’s Gala and let me tell you, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

This past Wednesday a few of the participating restaurants – The Capital Grille, Funky Monkey, Primo and Epcot® Bakery – got together at Primo in Grande Lakes Orlando to give a taste of what the event will feature.

After sampling four exquisite dishes, enjoying delightful company and basking in the beautiful contemporary Italian atmosphere of Primo, the preview left me – and the others – wanting more! With Chef’s Gala quickly approaching on May 15, I won’t have to wait much longer!

Thanks to all the media who came out to share our excitement about this event! Lauren Rowe, news anchor from Channel 6, even took some of the food back to share with the rest of her news team. They got to sample a few Chef’s Gala menu selections on air – and they even shared some with Mickael Pietrus of the Orlando Magic during a live interview at the Amway Arena!

Other previewed menu items included two forms of gourmet Macaroni & Cheese – Apple, Bacon and Gorgonzola, and Lobster and Fontina – from Funky Monkey, which were absolutely fabulous. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, The Capital Grille stepped in with Chef Matthew’s Porcini-rubbed Filet Mignon and Sam’s Mashed Potatoes.

View the full Chef’s Gala menu at www.ChefsGala.org.

This event will truly be an evening for you – and your taste buds – to remember forever. Don’t miss it – click here to order your tickets today!