Inspired Chefs to Serve Up Delicacies in Support of Nonprofit KidWorks

Talented culinary professionals from more than 80 Orange County restaurants and other popular food service providers, along with wine and libation sponsors, will be participating in the 2025 edition of the Annual Festival of Chefs, set for Sunday July 27 on the spacious lawn areas at the Newport Beach Country Club.

The much-anticipated event benefits KidWorks, a 30-year-old Santa Ana-based nonprofit that provides students in under-resourced neighborhoods in central Santa Ana with holistic programs and experiences to become leaders both in and out of the classroom.

Thanks to generous supporters, over $3.3 million has been raised for KidWorks students and programs since the Festival fundraisers began in 2021.

Serving on the event committee are KidWorks Board members Cory Alder, chair, along with Pat Merrell, and Tim Strader, Jr. Also on the event committee are Lisa Alder, Trish and Guy Johnson; Laticia Merrell, Tracy and Kevin Murphy; Camille Strader; David and Kyle Team, KidWorks Advisory Council chair; and Sandra and Ray Wirta.

“This savory dining experience draws some of the finest chefs in Orange County who generously give their time and talent in support of a nonprofit that has become a beacon of light and hope to children and youth for more than 30 years,” said Alder.

This year’s sponsors are a Who’s Who of Orange County’s leading people and businesses. Here ls the list as of April 24. The PRESENTING SPONSORS are Heidi and Ruben Mendoza, a KidWorks Advisory Council member. PLATINUM SPONSORS are Stacey and Greg Brown, Trish and Guy Johnson, and Kyle and David Team/Waypoint Property Group.

GOLD SPONSORS include Pam and Alex Munro, Oltmans Construction Company, Sacred Harvest Foundation, Nancy Lee Giving Fund, Provenio Capital, Schriber Family Fund, Camille and Tim Strader Jr., and U.S. Bank.

SILVER SPONSORS include Allen and Friedmann Families, Deloitte, Fanticola Family Foundation Inc., Gordon Henry, and Michelle Babcock and Jeannie Lawrence.

To learn more about 2025 sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Gels at lisa.gels@kidworksoc.org or (714) 834-9400 x126. For more about the event, visit https://kidworksoc.org/chefs.

The Host Chef is Graeme Blair, Executive Chef, Newport Beach Country Club.

Said Chef Blair, “We are fortunate to work in a privileged community here in Newport Beach. It’s wonderful to see that our members and owners are so supportive of causes like KidWorks. As staff members at the Club, we want to follow their lead and give back, too. It’s the right thing to do.”

The list of food providers includes:

Backstage-A-Fare – Annie Morgan, Balboa Bay Resort & Club – Prabeen Prathapa and Bert Agor Jr. Bistro K. – Juan Gomez and Tina Lopez, Blue Water Grill – Adrian Bastida, Butterflight & Wildfork – Alan Ramirez, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific – Kevin Jones, Connected Culinaire – Chelsea Cruz, Connected Culinaire – Chelsea Cruz., Descanso Restaurant – Jose Angulo, Deux Pates Bakery – Pierre Chambion,

Duvalls Dishes & The Art Room LA – Robert Duvall, Enebla – Lula Monge, Haute Productions – Keith Prante, Hotel Laguna – Lucio Gomez, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach – Manfred Lassahn, Il Sole La Nuova Cuicina – Luis Mena, Flaky Apple Pie Co. – Brooke Cazier, Konpa, CDM – Jason Yamaguchi, and Lorea Restaurant, Pasea Hotel – Scott Rackliff.

The list continues with Macheen Food Events – Jonathan Perez, Marriott Newport Beach – Jonathan Stanley,Melissa’s Variety Produce, Messi Burger – Jason Aviles, Mochimas – Jennifer Nguyen, Muldoons Irish Pub – Dan Cherri, Newport Rib Company – Efren Casillas, Oak Grove Organic Farms, OC Local Honey – Christine Ferrian, Oceans & Earth – Adam Navidi, Pascal’s Kitchen Pascal Olhats, Pacific Pearl & CAVA – Michael Campbell, Pendry Newport Beach – Ben Martinek, Pinkiwi Private Events – Kimmy Wilson, Renaissance Newport Beach – Paul Bauer, Roys – Michael Pascua, Salt Creek Grille - Armando Promotor-Chontal and Mark Johnson, Santa Ana Sweets - Rick Boxeth, Seabutter – Peter Moon, Seahorse Restaurant – Antonio Roa, Shady Canyon – Simon Lewis, SHOR – Corina Rodriquez, Sugar + Grain Baking Co. - Casey Curley, Taste Collective – Chris Tzorin, The Black Marlin Restaurant in Old Town Tustin – Noah Almazan, The Cannery Newport Beach – Kevin Jones, The Winery – Yvon Goetz, The Tea House on Los Rios – Julio Perez, Three Pug Café & Bakery – Heather McCleod, Thyme Well Spent – Brandon Hall, Truffle Boyz & Girlz – Rocky Ancian, Vivante – Michael Nirtaut and Javier Soriano; Wanderlust – Lauren Smith, Westwood Coast – Jayro Martine, and XACalli Kitchen – Vincent Espinoza.

Wine and libation sponsors include:

Batch 22, Bianchi Winery, BOMANI, Brashley Winery, Brewery X, Chris Hamilton Cellars, Cooper Spirits, Daou, Earl Stevens Wine, E. Quarenta, Estaca Bacanora, Golden Eagle Vodka, Guidance Whiskey Hetchy, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Kuiper Belt,

Levendi Winery, Mezcal, Moongoat Coffee Roasters, Navarro Winery, Nestle Waters, Oakville Ranch, PINAQ, Players Vodka, Reed Holland Wines, Santos Spirits, and Sinegal Estate Winery.

“We invite our guests to sample our talented chefs’ creations for an unforgettable gourmet encounter and enjoy fabulous libations before taking their seats for a special presentation about KidWorks educational initiatives that are designed to transform the lives of our students,” said KidWorks CEO and Executive Director David Benavides. “We thank our sponsors and donors for their generosity.”

One hundred percent of KidWorks high school students graduated on time and are pursuing higher education this fall.

To learn more about KidWorks, please visit www.kidworksoc.org.

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About KidWorks

Since 1993, KidWorks has helped children, youth and families living in overlooked neighborhoods in central Santa Ana, California. As a faith-driven 501(C) (3) nonprofit, we make an 18-year commitment to our students, pledging to walk with them from “Pre-K through B.A.” as we work to unleash their potential. Our mission is to inspire purpose in youth, fuel their growth, and catalyze their impact in the community and the world.

For over a decade, KidWorks has celebrated 100% of our high school seniors graduating on time and pursuing higher education. We are also proud to report that 72% of our college students returned to school last fall. In addition to our traditional after-school programs, we have added supplemental support to better serve the needs of our students and families, including operating a free, high-quality, state-licensed preschool.

To learn more about KidWorks and to read our success stories, please visit www.kidworksoc.org.