A large and dedicated committee that included Minnie Ballard, Sheri Blackwood, Kathleen Bruski, Louise Stewardson, Patti Nesbit, Mary Moyer, Shannon Burns, Ashley Carlton, Scott McKown, Karen McGlinn, Jason Coulston, Bill Cowles, Leslie Cowles and Julie Larson made the evening possible. Also working hard were Keith Lambert, Karen Harrington, Keri Follmer, Elaine Echenique, Jeff Eile, Elizabeth Evans and Emily Evans.
More than 300 guests donated in excess of $230,000 net to support the SOS Orange Aid Project, which collects retrievable food from restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and caterers to distribute to low-income Orange County citizens.
Celebrity chefs have become social superstars.
The crowd clamored over the lineup of culinary stars, which included Bert Agor of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Franco Barone of Antonello Ristorante, David Man of the Island Hotel, Alan Greeley of the Golden Truffle, Carlito Jacson of the Yard House, Louie Jocson of Pacific Prime Inc., Michael Kang of 5’, Chad Krahling of Hilton Orange County, Rich Mead of Sage Restaurant & Sage on the Coast, Ken Mukai of Yoshi’s Sushi, Alessandro Pirozzi of Cucina Alessá, and Paul Squicciarni of the Orange County Wine & Food Center.
The evening began as guests arrived entering a jazzy supper club atmosphere with song stylings by Bill Chico and the Traveling Trio. Dinner was served in the ballroom — five exquisite courses paired with appropriate wines — and followed by a successful auction led by Michael Villani.
Finally, sponsor Black, Starr & Frost of South Coast Plaza donated three valuable pieces of jewelry to cap the evening with an opportunity drawing.
