Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

DINNER can’t get any better than this. Four award-winning chefs will divvy up and prepare a sumptuous gourmet feast for you to enjoy in a breath-taking LA mansion, surrounded by a glorious display of flower arrangements by a Beverly Hills fl oral designer. And while you’re indulging yourself amidst the company of your friendly kababayans in LA, you’re also helping needy children in the Philippines.

Ayala Foundation USA announces its 2nd Dining with the Chefs on November 7 – a gourmet dinner for a cause – for the benefi t of underprivileged children in the Philippines.

The special dinner event will feature the individual repertoires of four of Los Angeles’ finest Filipino-American chefs, culinary artists, and restaurateurs - Cecilia de Castro, Andre Guerrero, Carlito Jocson, and Gary Menes.

Leilani and Christina Raquel will host the event at their private residence in the former Mary Pickford estate, a historical landmark in Los Angeles. Guests will also delight in the original designs of Negros Occidental born Tommy "Tomiko" delos Reyes, now one of LA’s most sought-after floral artists.

This US$300-per-plate dinner event is the second in Ayala Foundation USA’s series designed to showcase the culinary expertise of US-based chefs with Filipino roots and to engage the support of the Filipino American community for worthy causes back in the motherland. Last year’s benefit dinner hosted by Diosdado and Maria Banatao, featured five of the Bay Area’s brightest culinary stars and raised more than US$50,000 for development projects in the Philippines.

The "Dining with the Chefs" culinary team is comprised of Filipino-Americans whose works are widely acclaimed in the industry. De Castro is founder of the Academy of Culinary Education and culinary producer of the Emmy Award-winning Wolfgang Puck Show and formerly of Spago. Guerrero is chef/partner at Marché in LA, BoHo in Hollywood, The Oinkster in Sherman Oaks, and Butter Tart in Glassell Park. He was named Top Chef by Los Angeles Times Magazine. Jocson is corporate executive chef and partner/owner of The Yard House, a chain of upscale-casual restaurants in Southern California and across the United States. Menes is executive chef/partner at Marché and formerly of French Laundry, Patina and Palate Food + Wine. The four chefs readily agreed to create what promises to be an unforgettable gourmet-tasting menu as a unique way of giving back.

"Ayala Foundation USA is thrilled with the participation of these internationally renowned Filipino chefs at our Los Angeles fund-raiser. It highlights the capacity of the Filipino to be globally competitive as well as their generosity in supporting the cause of underprivileged children and youth in the homeland," says foundation president Victoria Garchitorena.

Ayala Foundation USA is a recognized 501c3 organization that creates opportunities for Filipinos in the United States to help the Philippines by facilitating meaningful and tax-deductible contributions to social development initiatives. With over 100 projects supported in partnership with Philippine nonprofit organizations, Ayala Foundation USA is able to help address the country’s greatest needs while assisting Filipinos abroad who wish to give to causes closest to their hearts. For instance, in the week following Typhoon Ondoy, US-based donors contributed more than US$100,000.

As with the previous year’s event, "Dining with the Chefs" is expected to draw the participation of prominent members of the Filipino American community, including trustees of Ayala Foundation USA as well as its volunteers and supporters across the United States.

Says Garchitorena: "We thank our Los Angeles-based steering committee – Lynn Hess, Michael Balaoing, Joe Lumarda, Cora Oriel, Eric Manlunas, and Josie Chernoff – for their leadership in organizing this event. We also thank the chefs for their spirit of giving and their love of country; our wonderful event cochairs, Leilani and Cristina Raquel, our sponsors, and our trustees and volunteers for their untiring support and enthusiasm."