20th Annual Chef’s Gala: Our Biggest, Most Delicious Success Ever!

Celebrating two full decades of extraordinary food, fine wine and heartfelt generosity, more than 1,000 elegantly dressed guests attended the 20^th Annual Chef’s Gala, which raised a record-setting $219,175 to help people in need.   

Held Saturday, May 19 at Epcot® World Showplace, Chef’s Gala was hosted and sponsored by WALT DISNEY WORLD®, which has underwritten nearly the full cost of the event since it began in 1992.

Thanks to this commitment, as well as the generosity of our talented chefs, sponsors and others partners, a full 95% of dollars raised will go help fund more than 100 local health and human service programs.    

Also contributing to year’s enormous success were two dedicated event co-chairs, Shawn Bartelt, Vice President & General Manager of WFTV 9 & Central Florida’s TV 27; and Simon Hemus, President & COO of Tupperware Brands Corporation.    

After making a red-carpet entrance, guests enjoyed signature dishes from 24 of the region’s top chefs, as well as thoughtfully paired wines, desserts and specialty coffees. Other highlights included a sparkling wine and martini bar reception and a dazzling silent auction, co-chaired by Jane Bindas, Senior Director, Risk Management, Tupperware Brands Corporation; and Patty DeYoung, a community philanthropist.

“Over the past 20 years, Chef’s Gala has grown to become Central Florida’s premier food and wine pairing charitable event,” said United Way President and CEO Robert H. (Bob) Brown. “That 2012 was our biggest, most successful event ever is a true testament to the generosity of Disney, as well as so many other outstanding partners and individuals. We are deeply grateful for their trust, compassion and support.” 

Click here to view more photos.

Save the Date for the 20th Annual Chef’s Gala Coming Up on May 19, 2012!

Make plans now to attend the 20th Annual Chef’s Gala, featuring mouth-watering cuisine created by more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs.

Widely recognized as the region’s premier food and wine pairing charity event, Chef’s Gala also includes a champagne and martini bar reception, thoughtfully paired wines, fabulous desserts, live music and an elegant silent auction.

Held at Epcot® World Showplace, the event is hosted and sponsored by WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort.

Thanks to the generosity of Disney and other sponsors, last year’s event raised more than $185,000 for local residents in need, making Chef’s Gala truly a Tasteful Way to Make a Difference!

Additional details about ticket sales and particpating restaurants will be provided soon.

If your company or organization would like to reach a sophisticated, affluent audience, sponsorship opportunities now are available. For information, please call (407) 429-2129 or e-mail chefsgala@hfuw.org.

Click here for details and photos of last year’s event.

19th Annual United Way Chef’s Gala: Another Delicious Success!

 

What a terrific night! If you were lucky enough to attend Chef’s Gala on Saturday we think you’ll agree that it was one of the most magical evenings in the event’s 19-year history.

The fabulous food and wine, gorgeous weather and beautiful background of Epcot World Showplace, combined to make it an unforgettable experience forthe  more than 1,000 guests who attended.

Following a red carpet entrance, guests mingled over drinks at the champagne and martini bar reception. They also bid on travel getaways, golf packages, sports memorabilia and other exclusive items featured in the silent auction.

In all, the event raised more than $185,000 to help fund United Way supported programs that are providing shelter, food and other basic services to Central Floridians in dire need.  

None of this would have been possible without the support of many dedicated people, including our terrific Chef’s Gala co-chairs, Carolyn Gosselin, President of Gosselin, Inc., and John Tomlinson, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank.

The talented chefs — or our “Rock Stars” as we like to call them – also went completely above and beyond this year. From Porcini-crusted filet and Lobster Anolini to Champagne Sabayon and Tiramisù Panne Cotta, the food was indescribably delicious.    

Thanks to them, as well as the generosity of Disney – our host and sponsor for the past 19 years – and other sponsors and vendors, a full 95% of all money will go to help people in need.

We also want to thank our Silent Auction co-chairs, Kathy Brown, President of Thumbprint Marketing; and Kathy Brown-Butler, Senior Vice President, Market Development Manager,  Bank of America, for their generosity and support.

If you didn’t make it out, we look forward to seeing you next year. It’s definitely an evening you won’t want to miss!  

Click here to view more Chef’s Gala photos and tag yourself on our Facebook page. 

Tantalize Your Tastebuds at Chef’s Gala, May 21, at Disney’s Epcot World Showplace

From left, Pastry Chef Andreas Born, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ Bakery; Chef Partner Alec Cheak, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar; Chef de Cuisine Jared Gross, Napa at The Peabody Orlando; and Chef Gilberto Ramirez, Primo by Melissa Kelly

With only a month to go before Chef’s Gala, several of this year’s most talented chefs teamed up to prepare and preview some of the amazing menu items that will be served on May 21.

The occasion was the Chef’s Gala media preview, hosted by Primo at the JW Marriott, Grande Lakes Orlando, and the food was incredible!

If you’ve been to Chef’s Gala, you know it’s Central Florida’s premier food and wine-pairing charitable event, benefiting Heart of Florida United Way. Hosted and sponsored by Walt Disney World, it’s a terrific opportunity to enjoy a special night out, thank employees or impress customers. This year’s event is co-chaired by Carolyn Gosselin, President of Gosselin, Inc., and John Tomlinson, Senior Vice President and Florida Manager of Wells Fargo Bank. 

Within the local culinary community, Chef’s Gala is also an opportunity for more than 20 of the region’s top chefs to showcase their talent, inspiration and creativity – all of which were fully evident in the fabulous food served during the preview.

Dishes included:

• Lean-sliced Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Wicked Cajun Barbeque Shrimp, prepared by Chef Partner Alec Cheak from Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• Pressed-braised Veal, Spiced Heirloom Carrots, Morel Hominy, Chervil-Citrus Salad, and English Pea Vinaigrette, served by Chef de Cuisine Jared Gross from Napa at The Peabody Orlando
• Peekeytoe Crab Gougere with a Florida Avocado Crema and Heirloom Tomato Soup, created by  Chef Gilberto Ramirez from Primo by Melissa Kelly

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Pastry Chef Andreas Born from Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ Bakery, presented a stunning sampling of his signature desserts, including:
 

• Tiramisù Pane Cotta with Candied Espresso Beans
• Chocolate Three Ways…Dark Almond-Buttermilk Cake layered with Milk Chocolate Truffle Cream and topped with White-Chocolate Chambord
• Banana Filo Crisp on a Vanilla Cloud

What more can we say, other than tickets are going fast! Click here to purchase and find out why we believe Chef’s Gala is Truly a Tasteful Way to Make a Difference!