Jared Gross, chef de cuisine at Urban Tide, previewed his dish for the upcoming Chef’s Gala at a luncheon at the JW Marriott’s Primo restaurant last month.
It’s time to start thinking about the Chef’s Gala, one of the premier food and wine events of the calendar, benefitting Heart of Florida United Way. This year the event will be on Saturday, May 21, from 6:45 to 10 p.m.
As always, the event is held at Epcot’s World Showplace, the biodome-like structure that also houses the weekly Party for the Senses dos during the International Food & Wine Festival.
Unlike the Senses Parties, however, admission to Epcot is not required to attend Chef’s Gala. The way they get around that is by busing attendees from a special area in the Epcot parking lot to the Showplace via the theme park’s backstage area, so besides attending a really terrific food and wine event, you also get an insider’s — or backsider’s, if you will — view of what’s behind the Epcot facades.
Tickets to the event are $275 per person or $500 per couple with all proceeds going to Heart of Florida United Way. Chef’s Gala supports programs in the areas of education, income, health and basic needs.
“Heart of Florida United Way is humbled each and every year by the community support we receive through Chef’s Gala to help more than 400,000 people in the tri-county region,” said Robert H. (Bob) Brown, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. “Chef’s Gala is certainly one of my favorite events due to the impact we’re able to make with the help of volunteers, contributors and sponsors.”
This link will take you to the Chef’s Gala websitewhere you can get more information and purchase your tickets. See below for a list of participating restaurants:
Artist Point Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
blu on the avenue
Bull & Bear Waldorf Astoria Orlando
California Grill Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Coral Reef Restaurant Epcot
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Universal Orlando
Jungle Skipper Canteen MAGIC KINGDOM Park
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Morimoto Asia Disney Springs
Primo by Melissa Kelly
J. W. Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Sanaa
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
STK Orlando Disney Springs (soon to open)
The Wave… of American Flavors Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Todd English’s bluezoo Walt Disney World’s Swan & Dolphin
Trattoria al Forno Disney’s BoardWalk
Urban Tide Hyatt Regency Orlando
Yachtsman Steakhouse Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Desserts
Disney’s Grand Floridian Bakery Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Fatto in Casa
The Ganachery Disney Springs
Coffee
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
