Roll out the red carpet! Disney’s annual Chef’s Gala has officially arrived, and I’m whipping out the shiny black shoes for this event. Just recently, I had the pleasure of attending Disney’s annual Chef’s Gala held in the heart of Epcot with one of my best friends Maria, from OrlandoFashionGirl.com. The Gala was organized by Heart of Florida United Way, an organization that fights for the health, financial stability and education of individuals within Central Florida. Donors from across the lands of Central Florida all packed into an atrium located inside Disney’s Epcot theme park.

It was quite a glittering display I must say. The red carpet was rolled out and in full affect as we made our way into the event’s venue. Once we entered the venue, we were engulfed by a glamorous display of architecture, decor and…lots and lots of food. Yes—it was food galore, which meant that I was in the right place. Food vendors and restaurants from within the borders of Central Florida came together for a night of fine cuisine and entertainment. An array of participating restaurants from STK Orlando, Morimoto Asia and even Gideon’s Bakehouse were on full display. 

But this ritzy event wasn’t only for donors and guest to join hands as they tasted some of the finest foods in Orlando, but it was also a night of charity and raising funds to aid United Way’s cause. The Chef’s Gala was able to raise a whopping $300,000 from that night. Making the Chef’s Gala—undoubtedly—one of United Way’s largest fundraiser events, impacting the community of Central Florida in a significant way. – David Plowden, David’s Manor.

2018 Participating Restaurants

Ale & Compass Restaurant – Disney’s  Beach Club Resort
Artist Point – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
blu on the avenue
Bull & Bear – Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Cinderella’s Royal Table – MAGIC KINGDOM Park
Flying Fish – Disney’s BoardWalk
Hemisphere – Hyatt Regency Orlando
The Hollywood Brown Derby – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Jiko – The Cooking Place – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Latitude and Longitude – Orlando World Center Marriott
Le Cellier Steakhouse – Epcot^®
Morimoto Asia – Disney Springs
Primo by Melissa Kelly – J.W. Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Shutters – Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
SLATE
STK Orlando – Disney Springs
Tiffins – Disney’s Animal Kingdom^® Theme Park
Todd English’s bluezoo – Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
The Turf Club Bar and Grill – Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Urban Tide – Hyatt Regency Orlando

Desserts & Coffee:

Amorette’s Patisserie – Disney Springs
Epcot^® Bakery Team
Gideon’s Bakehouse
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

2018 Chef’s Gala Host Committee

Stephen Ting, Co-Chair, TD Bank; Elisha Gonzalez, Co-Chair, Duke Energy; Host Committee: Jan Aspuru, OUC—The Reliable One; Gary Capton, Fairwinds Credit Union; Sean DeMartino, Coastal Construction Group; Mara Frazier, Westgate Foundation; Byron Knibbs, OUC—The Reliable One; Erich Maschhoff, TD Bank; Dr. E. AnnMcGee, Seminole State College of Florida; Michael Pattillo, Ernst & Young, LLP; Ronald Piccolo, Ph.D., University of Central Florida; Christina Pinto, MPC Solid Financial Services; Jim Taylor, Career Partners International; Annetta Wilson, Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success