April 12, 2008

Annual Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala Nets $600,000
for Groundbreaking Research and Physician Recruitment
at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center

More than 400 guests gathered recently at the 27th annual Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala, netting over $600,000 to support pioneering research at the nationally renowned Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center.  The gala's Italian theme “Bella Notte,” or, “beautiful night,” set the tone for the evening.

Chef Thomas Broder and guest with Dr. Fred and Joy Frye. Photo credit: Melissa Jacobs

Carol Vassiliadis, a member of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center board, set the bar for the benefit by establishing a generous match gift of $100,000 for the event's “Fund-a-Need Auction.” Monies raised from the auction will go to help recruit more stellar researchers and physicians to the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.  Guests rallied to support the important cause, pledging an additional $230,000, which brought the auction's grand total to $330,000 in gifts.

“Private support allows us to bring more of the best and brightest physicians and scientists to the center, which is key to our continued success,” said Dennis Carson, M.D., director of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. “The gifts from the gala will benefit patients everywhere, as we recruit more physician-scientists to help translate discoveries today into better treatments tomorrow.”

Sue Kalish, San Diego Magazine 's Volunteer of the Year and 2007 Celebrity Chefs Cook Gala chair, organized the event on April 12 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Dr. Fred Frye and his wife Joy oversaw donations of fine wines, which were paired with guest chefs' signature appetizers during the reception. 

Chefs who volunteered their creativity and talents that evening included “Top Chef” finalist Brian Malarkey of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Orion Balliet of Azul La Jolla; Giuseppe Ciuffa of Giuseppe Fine Catering; Jean Diot of Tapenade Restaurant; Jason Knibb of Nine-Ten; Damaso Lee of Trattoria Acqua; Jeff Rossman of Terra Restaurant; Susan Sbicca of Sbicca; and Stephen Window of Roppongi Restaurant and Bar.  Thomas Broder of Broders' Cucina Italiana in Minneapolis and Jesús González of Mexico's Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort & Spa were also featured.

l-r: Sue Kalish and Dr. Barbara Parker Photo credit: Melissa Jacobs

Barbara-Lee Edwards, co-anchor of KFMB/News 8, emceed the evening. Dacor and Standards of Excellence provided ovens and ranges for use during the event. Mary Shrubbe of Design Essentials provided the décor, while local band, “Society Beat” provided music for dancing.

For more information on supporting the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, contact Rachel de la Vega at (858) 822-0022.

Founded in 1979, the Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of just 39 centers in the United States to hold a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.  As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting basic, translational and clinical cancer research, providing advanced patient care and serving the community through innovative outreach and education programs.  For more information, visit http://cancer.ucsd.edu.