By Tony Reverditto
TOP Chef OC is an incomparable culinary experience, bringing together over 50 of the region’s finest chefs, sponsors, and culinary artisans. Each chef creates and serves an exclusive tableside dinner for 10 guests, perfectly paired with exquisite wines and presented at beautifully adorned tables designed by the participating restaurants and chefs. The evening includes an over-the-top cocktail reception, an extraordinary auction offering indulgent dining experiences, rare luxury items, exceptional wines, and unforgettable trips to wide-ranging destinations.
The ballroom is set for a diverse culinary celebration amongst the warm glow of candlelight encircled by the enchanting scent of a multitude of flowers and aromas of divine cuisine. Dozens of the most talented chefs gather around stunningly adorned tables to present a feast of epic proportions. Those in attendance indulge in the finest wines, share moments of laughter, and savor five exquisite courses crafted with creative flair unique to each chef.
The culinary community is rallying around this event to support the vital work of The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) in Laguna Beach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea creatures. It is the only center in Orange County licensed to respond to and rescue sea lions, seals, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales in peril along the Orange County coastline. Their advocacy mission is to provide medical treatment, nutrition, and rehabilitation until they can be returned to the wild.
PMMC promotes ocean stewardship by offering STEM education programs for schools, community groups, and the general public, as well as raising awareness about marine life, environmental protection, conservation, and the impacts of human activity on ocean ecosystems. If you purchase a one-year “release pass,” it grants you and a guest multiple invitations to witness the wonderful homecomings of sea lions rescued and rehabilitated! While releases can occur year-round, the busy seasons for releases are spring and summer. Releases typically begin between 7:00-7:30 am. Your contribution pays for medical research, medicine, access to medical equipment, and specialized care – pacificmmc.org.
When asked why she specifically selected the Pacific Marine Mammal Center for this decadently delicious fundraiser, event guru Kristin Martin, CEO of KM Productions, stated, “I chose the Pacific Marine Mammal Center as the beneficiary for this event because their work embodies the spirit of compassion, conservation, education, and community. I have always been a huge animal lover and was a former educator! Their dedication to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing marine mammals aligns with the KM Productions event’s mission to support organizations that make a tangible impact in OC. Through this culinary event, we’re not just celebrating great food – we’re uniting chefs, guests, and supporters to protect our coastal ecosystems and the incredible wildlife that calls them home.”
Upon arrival at the Cocktail Reception, guests are greeted with an overwhelming collection of wine, libations, and special treats. They include, Batch22, Bianchi Winery, BOMANI, Brewery X, Butter Crumbs Bake Shop, Catered Courses & Santa Ana Sweets, Cazanes Tequila, Cooper Spirits, Connected Culinaire, Descanso Restaurant, Deux Pates, Earl Stevens Wine, E.Quarenta, Flaky Apple Pie Co., Flora Avocado Farm, Golden Eagle Vodka, Haute Dawgz, Hetchy, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, JCB Wines, JUSTIN Wines, Kuiper Belt, Levendi Winery, Los Sundays, Melissa’s Variety Produce, Messi Burger, Mezcal, Michael Levine- “Wine Guy Says”, Moongoat Coffee Roasters, Navarro Vineyards & Winery, Nestle Waters, Oak Grove Organic Farms, Oceans & Earth, Pascal Cuisine, Pinaq, Players Vodka, OC Local Honey, Primal Alchemy, Santa Ana Sweets, Santos Spirits, Savage Rabbit Distributions, Seahorse, Sinegal Estate Winery, Sugared & Grain Co., Taste Collective, The Long Drink, The Tea House on Los Rios, Three Pug Bakery, Truffle Boys & Girls, U4U Chocolates, and Webb’s Distillery.
The main event VIP Chefs include Irvine Hotel Venue Host Martin Alcala, Event Chef Chair Adam Navidi, Oceans & Earth, Honorary Chefs Tony Nguyen and Helene An, Crustacean Beverly Hills, and ANQI (House of An).
Participating restaurants that will offer a unique table for ten dining feast include Bluewater Grill, Butterfight Foods & Wildfork, Connected Culinaire, Duvall’s Dishes, Five Crowns Restaurant, Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, KONPAI, Los Angeles Country Club, Macheen Restaurant, Muldoons Irish Pub & Van Hagan, Newport Beach Marriott, Ohana Chef, Pacific Pearl Catering, Pasea Hotel & Spa, Lorea Restaurant, Pendry Newport Beach, Pinkiwi Private Events, Seabutter, Selanne Steak Tavern, Shady Canyon Golf Club, Sparkling Events & Design, Taste Collective, The Black Marlin Restaurant in Old Town Tustin, The Cannery Newport Beach, The Chef Book LA, The Park Club, The Ranch Laguna Beach, Thyme Well Spent, U4RIK Spirits, VEA Newport Beach, Waterfront Beach Resort and XACalli Kitchen.
TOP CHEF OC
Sunday, April 6 featuring a 5 p.m. Cocktail Reception and 6:30 p.m. Dinner
Irvine Marriott (18000 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612)
Topchefoc.com | pacificmmc.org
