Orange County’s culinary heavy hitters are once again joining forces for a good cause and a great time.
The 10th annual Tastemakers of Orange County will return to Costa Mesa in September, bringing together some of the region’s best chefs for an al fresco evening celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander culture while raising money for a longtime nonprofit.
The annual fundraiser benefitting the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) is set for Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
More than two dozen chefs and eateries are slated to participate this year, serving Asian and Pacific Islander-inspired small plates. The line up includes Winnie Yee of Smoke Queen Barbecue; James Hamamori of his namesake spot, Hamamori; Minh Phan of Hanuman Thai Eatery; Sonny Nguyen of Artisan by 7 Leaves and Crema Bakery; Amar Santana of Vaca; Ross Pangilinan of Terrace by Mix Mix; Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens; Sachi Mehra of Adya; Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos; Bill Bracken of Bracken’s Kitchen; Rodrigo Ceja of Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck, and Leonard Chan of Stowaway Tiki Bar, along with many other chefs and bakers.
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“Ten years ago, OCAPICA faced an uncertain future due to the financial crisis and limited funding,” said Mary Anne Foo, executive director of OCAPICA, in a written release. “A remarkable group of chefs and restaurants came together to create Tastemakers of Orange County, celebrating our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community while helping secure OCAPICA’s future.”
Foo said that since the advent of the event nearly a decade ago, the nonprofit has been able to “expand our impact and serve more communities in need.”
Proceeds support OCAPICA’s work in mental health services, youth development, housing assistance, policy education and programs serving immigrant communities throughout Orange County.
Guests can look forward to unlimited tastings, live entertainment and an opportunity drawing during the evening.
The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for VIP ticket holders ($295 each) and 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. for general admission ($225).
For more information or to buy tickets, visit OCAPICA’s Tastemakers website at ocapica.org.