With huge support from amazing local chefs and top notch restaurant venues, the 2013 Chef Celebration Dinner Series is underway and packing in excited diners! Created by teams of San Diego's top Chefs, this annual series of multi course dinners directly benefits the nonprofit Chefs of San Diego Celebration Foundation - an association of local chefs who annually donate their talent, time and energy to raise money for a culinary scholarship program. The Chef Celebration dinner series offers a weekly, multi-course meal prepared by a group of chefs, to occur on each Tuesday at a different restaurant throughout the month of April The fundraising culminates with the 3rd Annual Artisan Food & Craft Beef Festival - a grand finale celebration to be held at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens on Sunday, May 5th.
Participation in the Chef Celebration dinner series or the grand finale festival will help twelve up-and-coming chefs from San Diego attend a week long intensive at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone this coming October to refine their skills and further lay the foundation for San Diego's culinary future. Chef Celebration Foundation President and Executive Chef at Barona Resort and Casino, Jim Phillips, has much pride in the opportunities that San Diego's chefs pass along to aspiring culinary artists.
2012 was an amazing year for Chef Celebration, as the organization, through donations and funding generated from its events, was able to send 12 promising young culinarians to the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa, CA for a week long course, designed specifically for the group. Chef Celebration has hope that the inspired chefs-to-be will return to San Diego to pass on what they've learned and come out of this experience with new relationships and greater support within the San Diego Culinary Community.
"The trip is 100% sponsored by the foundation including all meals and outings to wineries," detailed Chef Phillips. "Thanks in part to our corporate sponsors such a Sysco Inc., we now also provide a week of salary reimbursement to the recipients to cover their expenses at home, as many of them do not get paid vacation time for the trip. Last October, the participants also catered a wedding right after their 5 days of studies at a private 50 acre estate in nearby Angwin. These sorts of educational outings create much camaraderie and help us to fulfill our mission of investing in the culinary future of San Diego.”
If you haven't had a chance to attend a Chef Celebration dinner yet, be sure to make your reservation early for one of the five dates set for April, as the reservations fill up fast, and buy a ticket for the grand finale beer & food event at Stone World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido Don't miss out on one of the memorable dinners, which includes:
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
Pamplemousse Grille
Chefs:
Francisco Sedano - Pamplemousse Grille
Justin Cullimore - The Crossings at Carlsbad
Tommy Dimella - Del Mar Country Club
Nicolas Bour - Rancho Bernardo Inn
Eric Bauer - Rancho Valencia
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013
La Valencia Hotel
Chefs:
Paul McCabe - La Valencia
Patrick Ponsaty - The Ranch at Bandy Canyon
Anthony Sinsay - Burlap
Joe Magnanelli - Cucina Urbana
William Bradley - Addison at the Grand Del Mar
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
Solace and the Moonlight Lounge
Chefs:
Featuring Chef Celebration's 2012 Scholarship Recipients!
Michael Welch - Solace and the Moonlight Lounge
Jon Bautista - Kitchen 1540
Henry Wassink - Barona Casino
Steven Molina - Delicias
Alex Bourgo - George's at the Cove
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013
Terra American Bistro
Chefs:
Jeff Rossman - Terra American Bistro
Hanis Cavin - Carnitas' Snack Shack
Sara Polczynski - The Blind Burro
Chad White - Plancha Baja Med
Anthony Sinsay - Burlap
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
Jsix
"The Rub" - Featuring a wide range of animals & the chef's personal "rubs"!
Chefs:
Christian Graves - Jsix
Jason Knibb - NINE-TEN
Matt Gordon - Urban Solace
Hanis Cavin - Carnitas' Snack Shack
Simon Dolinky - Saltbox Dining & Drinking
After the 2013 Chef Celebration Series concludes, join a lineup of chefs and vendors for the 3rd Annual Chef Celebration Artisan Food & Craft Beer Festival at the beautiful Stone World Bistro & Gardens for a delicious celebration of great food and beer on Sunday, May 5th! Participants will enjoy samples of nine different small-bite dishes created by nine local chefs from outstanding eateries, all paired with 18 amazing craft beers. All pairings are picked by "Certified Cicerone" and Stone Brewing Co. Craft Beer Ambassador Dr. Bill Sysak. Tickets for this event are $55 and can be purchased online.
For more information on the Chef Celebration Foundation, visit chefcelebration.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
