Culinary Masters

Dear Roosters Culinary Masters Friends, Fine Dining Aficionados & Wine Connoisseurs,

The 2008 Culinary Masters will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Due to the success of last year’s inaugural event and the demand by all the chefs in Orange County to participate, we are moving to the 15,000 square foot ballroom at the convenient & centrally located Hyatt Regency Irvine which will allow us to expand to 38 chefs with lots of space for everyone. The extremely popular “Chocolate Martini & Cigar” post-event celebration will move to the stunning pool area at the Hyatt Regency.

As many of you remember, this extraordinary experience offers guests a sumptuous five-course (minimum) gourmet dinner and complimenting wines in an intimate setting with one of the leading chefs & top restaurants in Orange County. Azmin Ghahreman of Sapphire Laguna and John Cuevas of The Loft at Montage Resort & Spa are the honorary chef chairs. Capacity is almost 550 guests and the event is expected to generate over $300,000.

The Roosters Foundation, raises nearly a half million dollars a year to help at risk and disadvantaged children. The volunteer organization of 100 leading entrepreneurs & esteemed executives are dedicated to creating a better life for children locally. The California Senate has honored the organization on several occasions and Governor Schwarzenegger gave the organization a proclamation of gratitude last year. Proceeds from “Culinary Masters” will go to support the most pressing needs of our children through the newly created Rooster Foundation Grant Program as well as the annual Roosters Holiday Food Drive which distributes through 25 charities, holiday meals that feed over 15,000 homeless and displaced children and their families during the Christmas/New Year period.

Of course, the evening’s focal point is the 38 top chefs & restaurants preparing their signature dishes for their exclusive table. This is not a competition but tell that to the chefs! They will try endlessly to outdo each other for unofficial bragging rights of the event. Look over incredible inspiring table designs, cuisine fit for royalty, exquisite wines perfectly paired for each course and five-star “white glove” service from the individual restaurants wait staff. The evening also includes musical entertainment and an extensive upscale auction, showcasing rare & exotic wines and featuring adventures throughout the world.

This year, please set “Picking Procedures” sheet below only the Diamond and Platinum Tables will be directly choosing their menu. After the Diamond & Platinum Tables have chosen their menus, the remaining tables will be randomly picked by all the Gold table sponsors. Again, the chef preparing the menu will not be known to the guests, until they enter the ballroom which adds to the excitement!

Due to demand by many of you, table buyers will be able to purchase “PLUS” packages (SEE BELOW) which include 12 seats of the 14. Two seats are set aside at each table for guests of the chef. Gold Tables will go on sale at some point later this fall as available.

Attached is the Benefit Levels Form describing the Diamond & Platinum Levels of Sponsorship and a Reservation Form Please call Whit at 949-706-7613 if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration and I hope you will choose to be part of this spectacular benefit for the at-risk & in-need children of Orange County again. The benefit of purchasing your table now includes guaranteeing table before it sells out and invitations to the extremely exclusive “Meet the Chefs” Kick-off Reception at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach in December. Look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Sincerely,

Michael Cipolla & Chad Kearns

Co-Chairs

Donna Bunce
Register Columnist
949-644-4700 ext. 105
donna@coastmagazine.com

It doesn't get any better than this. One of Orange County's premier chefs prepares his or her signature dishes, along with superb wine pairings, tableside just for you. This exclusive dining experience – did I mention "sold-out" dining experience? – was held Sunday night at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, with 34 chefs participating and 400 guests appreciating.

Each restaurant featured its own table décor and some even brought in their own chairs. Tables and chairs were swathed in silk, and the floral arrangements were stunning. I even saw a 6-foot aquarium centerpiece at one table. The "Culinary Masters" fundraiser netted $150,000 for the Roosters Foundation and the children's charities it supports.

Chef Jamie Gwen, sparkling in Bvlgari jewels, served as Celebrity Chef for the evening. Pascal Olhats of Tradition by Pascal and Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose at The Grand Californian Hotel were honorary chefs, and Joel Harrington and Christian Clair of Restaurant 162' at the Ritz-Carlton were host chefs.

Along with the culinary delights was a fun live auction, led by veteran auctioneer Chuck Dreyer, which featured trips to Las Vegas for performances by Celine Dion and Eric Clapton, rare wines, a Roth Vodka party for 50, gourmet dinners offered by participating chefs and first-class airfare for two via Aloha Airlines to Maui and Lanai for a week's stay at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and the Four Seasons Lanai. Hawaii lovers Barbara and Don Hobbs from Laguna Hills were the lucky winners for a final bid of $13,000.

Participating chefs included Michael Rossi (Ambrosia), Eddie Meza (Anaheim White House), Michael Doctulero (Blue Coral), Dee Nguyen (Break of Dawn), Joseph Youkhan (Chat Noir), Rodrick Wilker (French 75), Ronnie Arnold (hush), Steve Palmer (Mariposa), Alfonso Contrisciani (Mozambique), Scott Raczek (Mr. Stox), Scott Brandon (Oysters), Nicholas Weber (Pinot Provence – I was at this table, and the dinner and wine pairings were superb!), Chris Garnier (Roy's), Richard Mead and Kris Kirk (Sage and Sage on the Coast), Scott Floyd (Salt Creek Grill), Azmin Ghahreman (Sapphire Laguna), Lewis Butler (Splashes at Surf & Sand Hotel), Adam Keough (Stonehill Tavern, St. Regis Resort), Josef Lageder and Yvon Goetz (Balboa Bay Club & Resort), Adam Navidi (The Californian, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach), Bruno Egea (The Fairmont Newport Beach), Bill Bracken (The Island Hotel), John Cuevas (The Loft, Montage Resort), David Martin (The Pacific Club), Domenico Grillo (Valentina Ristorante), Justin Monson (Vine) and Zov Karamardian (Zov's Bistro).

Roosters' event co-chairmen Michael Cipolla and Chad Kearns were all smiles at the successful effort, capped by chocolate martinis and cigars in the courtyard.

Andy Johnson & Kathy