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Pretty (and) Tasty: The Foods at United Way Chef's Gala 2015

March 18, 2015
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Looky here, how pretty. This is what to expect of the foods at the United Way Chef's Gala 2015. Foods at United Way Chef's Gala 2015

Let's back up: Every spring, Heart of Florida United Way hosts an event called Chef's Gala, dubbed "A Tasteful Way to Make a Difference." The evening is a cocktail-attire affair at which more than 20 chefs hand out thoughtfully conceived and prepared foods. Wines are poured freely. A musician sings. A silent auction sells goods from golf memorabilia to hotel stays. And, best of all, money is raised. Ninety-five percent of the proceeds go to neighbors in need. That's crucial because, according to United Way, 50 percent--that is half!--of Orlando-area residents are either officialy at or below the poverty level, or one big expense away from being there.

The Chef's Gala is quite the way to help out. You can donate cash, of course, but instead of merely donating $350 you can instead buy a couple of tickets and have a grand evening.

Journalists and bloggers sampled five of the dishes today. You see the Ghanian chocolate and passion fruit dessert above. Following are four savory items.

Illy coffee-crusted beef tenderloin with roasted bone marrow mousseline, Hog Island oyster, and crispy potato. Chef: Anthony Krueger of Blu on the Avenue

Root vegetable gnocchi with Palmetto Creek Farms pork ragu, housemade (!) ricotta cheese, and fried garden basil. Chef: Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant

Duck confit, foie mousse, and kumquat sandwich. Chef: Mariano Vegel of Primo by Melissa Kelly at Grande Lakes Orlando

A little funny bit here: On the printed menu, there's what I assume is a typo. It mentions foie mouse, not mousse.

Florida rock shrimp escabeche, creamed parsnips, chicharrones, and burnt onion jam. Chef: Jared Gross, Urban Tide at the Hyatt Regency Orlando

The ticket price is $275/person, $500/couple. The Web page is here.

Here's who else will be wining and dining you during Chef's Gala.

Cress Restaurant

Emeril's Tchoup Chop

Fatto in Casa

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant

Artist Point

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Narcoossee's

Bice Ristorante

Thornton Park Restaurant Group (Soco/Cityfish)

Trattoria al Forno

Tusker House Restaurant

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Jiko -- The Cooking Place

La Luce by Donna Scala

California Grill

The United Way Chef's Gala 2015 will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Epcot World Showcase. Theme park admission is not required.

Eat enthusiastically,

Rona

www.ronarecommends.com

In Food, Travel, Orlando Tags 4 rivers, artist point, bice, blu on the avenue, brown derby, Chef's Gala, cityfish, fatto in casa, Heart of Florida, jiko, k restaurant, la luce, le cellier, prmo, raglan raoad, Soco, tchoup chop, tusker house, United Way, urban tide
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