San Diego Mesa College recently announced two celebrity guest chefs who will be participating in “Taste of Mesa,” a cooking-show style fundraiser celebrating the grand opening of the newest state-of-the-art kitchen and on-campus restaurant, Culinary Outlook. Celebrity chefs will be able to experience Culinary Outlook firsthand, alongside students, during this exhilarating hands-on event.
The fundraiser, scheduled for the evening of Thursday April 6, will feature Maeve, founder and owner of Sugar and Scribe, Food Network Champion 2015 and winner of Best Bakery, Best New Restaurant La Jolla, along with Executive Chef, Kevin Templeton of Barleymash, San Diego Celebrity Chef 2014-15 and recently featured on Food Network’s ‘Beat Bobby Flay’.
“If you have been to any restaurant in San Diego, chances are good that a portion your meal may have been prepared by a Mesa College Culinary Arts student,” stated Dr. Pamela Luster, President. “Our goal is to prepare our students to contribute to San Diego’s amazing culinary scene, and with this event and the support of our celebrity chefs, we can do that.”
“Taste of Mesa” will showcase Culinary Outlook, and feature internationally-inspired cuisine and three cook-off competitions between alumni, students and an advanced baking team. Guests will be able to bid on food-themed silent auction items such as restaurant gift cards, liquors, wine and culinary tools. VIP ticketholders are invited to judge the culinary competitions, watch the celebrity chef competition, and receive a culinary gift bag. Culinary Outlook, hosted in the new Mesa Commons, was funded by voters via Propositions S and N.
The proceeds from “Taste of Mesa” will be used to purchase ingredients and supplies that will help train students for the farm to table style restaurants that are becoming more common in today’s market and prepare them to become valued employees in the service industry.
“The students need to learn what is changing in the industry, and we need to teach them more before they leave,” Culinary Arts/Management Professor Tonya Whitfield said. “With this fundraiser, we can do more for them.”
Prizes and silent auction items include:
- Three-nights at Essex Hotel, with Tickets to Marlins game and F&B credits, valued at $1,800
- Private dinner for 8 by French Gourmet Chef Michel, valued at over $800
- Torrey Pines Hilton Accommodations, valued at over $250
- Safari Park Family 4-pack of tickets, valued at over $250
- Champagne Brunch for 4 with a home kit of champagne with crystal glasses, mix and whisk, valued at over $250
- One-night at the US Grant hotel, valued at $175
- Additional prizes and auction items to be announced
VIP ticketholders are invited to judge the culinary competitions, watch the celebrity chef competition, and receive a culinary gift bag.
The proceeds from “Taste of Mesa” will benefit the culinary arts and will be used to purchase ingredients and supplies that will help train students and prepare them to become valued employees in San Diego’s highly-rated service industry.
Tickets for the Taste of Mesa are $25 for students, $50 for the general public and $125 for VIP. For tickets, visit www.sdmesa.edu/tasteofmesa. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Anne Zacovic at azacovic@sdccd.edu. For alumni involvement, contact Professor Tonya Whitfield at twhitfie@sdccd.edu.
