La Valencia To Host 'Six Degrees Of Michael Mina' 6-Course Charity Dinner On July 22

June 22, 2015

La Valencia Executive Chef James Montejano has invited his mentor and friend, James Beard Award Winner, master chef, cookbook author and restauranteur, Michael Mina, to headline a fundraiser on July 22 at the iconic hotel to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and help support a meal program or kitchen enhancement at the house. The six-course dinner with wine pairings, entitled “Six Degrees of Michael Mina” will bring together five of the area’s top chefs - each of whom has worked with and/or been influenced by the cooking styles of Michael Mina - to once again work with Mina for a night and help a worthy cause.

The five San Diego area Chefs and one SFO chef participating in this epic culinary event include:
  • James Montejano – La Valencia Hotel – Worked twice with Mina at Aqua and Michael Mina restaurants in the Bay Area.
  • Carl Schroeder – Market Restaurant & Bar – was an extern for Mina
  • Wade Hageman – Blue Ribbon Artesan Pizzeria – worked with Mina at Aqua Restaurant in the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. 
  • Tina Luu – The Chocolate Studio – was at Aqua with Mina before the restaurant became Michael Mina
  • Jeffrey Strauss – Pamplemousse Grill – hired Chef James from Michael Mina’s Aqua 
  • Jason Halverson – Stones Throw, SFO – worked with Mina and Montejano during the years Aqua was reopened as Michael Mina. 
The fundraiser will be held in THE MED, La V’s newly redone signature restaurant, and the menu will include many of Chef Michael Mina’s original dishes from Aqua Restaurant in San Francisco, where Mina first made a name for himself, as well as from the restaurant when it was later recreated as Michael Mina and awarded a Michelin Star.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online for $350 per person and a percentage of proceeds go toward the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The exclusive event is limited to 70 guests, invited to dine intimately with these culinary superstars. Each ticket will also be part of a raffle for a chance to win an overnight stay in one of the Hotels newest suites, the Sky Suite, part of the Icon Collection and a dining credit for a future visit.

La Valencia Executive Chef James Monejano
As part of the hotel’s Haute Pink event series, the evening is all about “Dining for Good” since the monies raised will help enable the well-known charity continue to provide a welcoming “home away from home” for families caring for their critically ill or injured children at local hospitals. Guests are encouraged to dress in “haute pink” cocktail attire for the event.

“I’m looking forward to being in the kitchen with Mike again” says La V Chef James Montejano. “It’s hard to believe that over 20 years have gone by since I first worked with Mike after graduating from culinary school and then 5 years ago had the privilege of being part of the reopening team of his famous restaurant in San Francisco. But I know I speak for all of the chefs that are coming together for this event when I say we learned so much from Mike about always striving for the best and always evolving to meet the demands of a food savvy clientele. Bringing this kind of 'Mina All-Star' team together for such a worthy cause will make it a night to remember.”

For more information on the 6 Degrees of Michael Mina Dinner and to purchase tickets, visit lavalencia.com/mina-dinner or call the hotel concierge at (619) 885-8740 for personal assistance.