April 3, 2014
With huge support from amazing local chefs and top notch restaurant venues, the 2014 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 4th Annual Artisan Food & Craft Beef Festival - a grand finale celebration to be held at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station on Sunday, May 4.
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.
The first Chef Celebration dinner took place on April 1 at Pamplemousse Grille, and in addition to Chef Jeffrey Strauss and the rest of his team, included Bernard Guillas of The Marine Room, Thomas DiMella from the Del Mar Country Club, Hanis Cavin of Carnitas’ Snack Shack and Justin Cullimore from The Crossings at Carlsbad.
The Chef Celebration dinners are $65 per person and will be held as follows:
Tuesday, April 8
@Terra American Bistro – 619.293.7088 – MENU
Jeff Rossman – Terra American Bistro
Augie Saucedo – Brothers Signature Catering & Events
Sara Polczynski – The Blind Burro
Stacey Poon-Kinney – The Trails Eatery
Karrie Hills – The Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar
Tuesday, April 15
@Tom Ham’s Lighthouse – 619.291.9110 – MENU
Lance Repp – Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
Colin Murray – Brooklyn Girl Eatery
Jamal Mourad – Poseidon Restaurant
Colin MacLaggan – Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen
Tuesday, April 22
@Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room - 619.255.5152
Ryan Studebaker – Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room
Stéphane Voitzwinkler – Bertrand at Mister A’s Restaurant
Hanis Cavin – Carnitas’ Snack Shack
Richard Sweeney – Florent Restaurant & Lounge
Rachel King – NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar
Tuesday, April 29@Waypoint Public – 619.255.8778
Amanda Baumgarten – Waypoint Public
Chad White – Común Kitchen and Tavern
Joe Magnanelli – CUCINA urbana
Matt Gordon – Solace Restaurants
Jenn Reinhart – Waypoint Public
On Sunday, May 4, the Chef Celebration series holds its grand finale celebration - the 4th Annual Chef Celebration Artisan Food and Craft Beer Festival at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens – Liberty Station. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online. Participants will enjoy small-bite dishes created by local chefs from outstanding eateries, all paired with amazing craft beers. All pairings are by “Certified Cicerone” and Stone Brewing Co. Craft Beer Ambassador Dr. Bill Sysak. Vendor chefs for this festival include Tom Connolly (Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station), Dawn Parks (The Wild Thyme Company), Karl Prohaska (Handlery Hotel), Amanda Baumgarten (Waypoint Public), Ryan Studebaker (Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room), Greg Frey, Jr. (BlueFire Grill), Karen Blair (Monkey Paw/Small Bar/Hamilton’s Tavern), Justin Cullimore (The Crossings at Carlsbad), Paul Schwab (Sycuan Casino & Resort) and Sadie Rose Baking Co.
Tuesday, April 8
@Terra American Bistro – 619.293.7088 – MENU
Jeff Rossman – Terra American Bistro
Augie Saucedo – Brothers Signature Catering & Events
Sara Polczynski – The Blind Burro
Stacey Poon-Kinney – The Trails Eatery
Karrie Hills – The Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar
Tuesday, April 15
@Tom Ham’s Lighthouse – 619.291.9110 – MENU
Lance Repp – Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
Colin Murray – Brooklyn Girl Eatery
Jamal Mourad – Poseidon Restaurant
Colin MacLaggan – Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen
Tuesday, April 22
@Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room - 619.255.5152
Ryan Studebaker – Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room
Stéphane Voitzwinkler – Bertrand at Mister A’s Restaurant
Hanis Cavin – Carnitas’ Snack Shack
Richard Sweeney – Florent Restaurant & Lounge
Rachel King – NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar
Tuesday, April 29@Waypoint Public – 619.255.8778
Amanda Baumgarten – Waypoint Public
Chad White – Común Kitchen and Tavern
Joe Magnanelli – CUCINA urbana
Matt Gordon – Solace Restaurants
Jenn Reinhart – Waypoint Public
If you're interested in attending any of the Chef Celebration Dinners, you must call the participating venue restaurant for reservations. For more information on Chef Celebration, visit chefcelebration.org and follow on Facebook & Twitter.
