Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala to support cancer research at UC San Diego

Top celebrity chefs from around the country will gather in San Diego April 16 for the 30th Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala benefiting research at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. Themed "Epicurean Elegance: Food for the Mind, Body and Spirit," the gala will feature lush food artistry as 11 premiere chefs prepare their signature hors d'oeuvres paired with fine wine. Proceeds from the event will support the cancer center's most urgent needs.

Since its founding three decades ago, the event has raised more than $8.5 million to help fuel cancer research, advanced patient care, and community outreach and education programs at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, the region's only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

"As we mark the 30th year of this event, we celebrate the generous donors and friends who have tirelessly donated their time and resources to support cancer research at UC San Diego," said Dennis Carson, director of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. "Over the course of three decades, they have reached the lofty achievement of raising nearly $9 million to help translate promising scientific discoveries into new and better cancer treatments."

The roster of top chefs to appear at this year's gala includes Gavin Kaysen of New York City's Café Boulud, winner of the James Beard 2010 Outstanding Restaurant award. Kaysen returns to San Diego, where he headed the kitchen at El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Other culinary masters to appear at this year's Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala include:

* William Bradley - Addison at The Grand Del Mar
* Jean Michel Diot - Tapenade Restaurant
* Trey Foshee - George's at the Cove
* Kevin Gillespie - Woodfire Grill, Atlanta
* Bernard Guillas - The Marine Room
* Chris Karetas - Carriage Trade Catering
* Loretta Keller - Coco500/Academy Cafe/The Moss Room, San Francisco
* Patrick Ponsaty - Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort
* Jeffrey Strauss -Pamplemousse Grille
* Merlin Verrier - Graham Elliot, Chicago

Wineries and distributors donating their products and services to the chic event include: Castello Banfi, Domaine Serene Winery, Gallo Family Vineyards, kukkula, Maddalena Brands, Matetic Winery, Ramey Wine Cellars, Tantara Winery, Witch Creek Winery, and X Winery and Amicus Cellars.

This year's gala will feature the Spirit Award to recognize individuals who have encouraged and inspired the pursuit of excellence in patient care and research at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. This year's awards will be given to Iris and Matthew Strauss for their vision and philanthropy—including a generous gift to establish the Iris and Matthew Strauss Center for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.

Hors d'oeuvres will be followed by dinner and dancing with music by NRG. Marilyn and Doug Sawyer will serve as this year's gala event chairs. Food and wine chairs are Marie Kelley and George Karetas, respectively. Carol and Jeffrey Chang, MD, and Carla and Rudy Rehm are honorary co-chairs of the event. Longtime San Diego news anchor Marty Levin will serve as master of ceremonies.