Casa de Amparo hosts 20th Annual Meet The Chefs

Chef Michele Velez of Pillbox Tavern & Grill, get assistance from Prea' of Casa de Amparo's New Direction Program

Every year during the spring, Casa de Amparo hosts its signature fundraising event Meet The Chef. Held each year in April, the event brings together donor’s, and supporter’s to celebrate a worthy cause –treating, preventing and ending child abuse and neglect during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Established in 1978, Casa de Amparo, meaning House of Refuge, under the current leadership of Tamera Fleck-Myers, is lauded by the community, for the non-profit’s dedication and commitment to protecting and providing resources for children and young adults, who have faced severe challenges and are in need of assistance in moving forward with their lives.

Each year Meet the Chefs, hosts over 350 guests that come together to mix and mingle in a cozy poolside setting, while sipping on an extensive collection of fine wines, paired with sweet and savory food options from 15-16 premiere restaurants.

The spectacular food and wine event took place on Sunday April 24, at the stylish Hilton Del Mar in a beautiful atmosphere where guests enjoyed an afternoon of fabulous auction items, opportunity drawings and live music by the band Legal Tender.

Celebrity guests including members of the San Diego Chargers organization came out to show their support for the worthy cause including: James Collins (Head Athletic Trainer), Damon Mitchell (Assistant Athletic Trainer), Manti Te’o (Linebacker), Kent Johnston (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Alvin Cabrera (Assistant Athletic Trainer), Corey Luiget (Defensive End), Darrell Stuckey (Safety) Nick Dzubnar (Linebacker), Tourek Williams (Linebacker),Craig Mager (Cornerback) andTenny Palepoi (Defensive End).

In celebration of 20 years of Meet the Chefs, all attendees received a commemorative 20th Anniversary wine glass.

Chef Israel Ortiz and staff member of Harrahs getting prepared to serve guests.
Chef Israel Ortiz and staff member of Harrahs getting prepared to serve guests.

Check out the complete list of participating restaurants and chefs:

Americana Restaurant – RANDY GRUBER
coastalKITCHEN at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar – MARCO GALLIANO
Del Mar Brigantine – RAYMUNDO BAEZ
Del Mar Rendezvous – TONY SU
Harrah’s Resort Southern California – ISRAEL ORTIZ
Il Fornaio – ROBERTO CARBON
Jake’s Del Mar – PAUL NILES
Kitchen 1540 – NATHAN LINGLE
Pamplemousse Grille – JEFFREY STRAUSS
Pillbox Tavern & Grill – MICHELE VELEZ
Poseidon – MOURAD JAMAL
Red Tracton’s – JOSE MONTANO & JOSE MAURICIO PINEDA
Sbicca Del Mar – HARRY BUTCHER
Shimbashi Izakaya – AKIHIRO FUKUSHIMA

Signature Chef Sponsors:
* Datron
* DJO Global
* Directed Electronics, Inc.
* Grant General Contractors
* Harrah’s Resort Southern California
* San Diego Chargers
* Union Bank and Wells Fargo


Pamplemousse Grill created these delicious macaroons in lemon, vanilla and purple in honor of the artist Prince's recent passing.
Pamplemousse Grill created these delicious macaroons in lemon, vanilla and purple in honor of the artist Prince’s recent passing.

You won’t want to miss this one-of-a kind event next year in April, honoring National Child Abuse Prevention month.

For more information contact CasadeAmparo.org

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