Center Club held its premier small plates tasting event, Small Bites for Big Causes, on October 10, 2011, and raised over $22,000 for local charities: MDA’s Augie’s Quest, For OC Kids Neurodevelopmental Center and ClubCorp’s Employee Partners Care Foundation.
States Center Club General Manager Shahin Vosough, “Our club is very pleased and proud that our debut tasting event was received so well by the public and participating chefs. We are thrilled to be able to donate to such worthy causes and look forward to exceeding our numbers next year!”
An estimated 300 guests attended the event at the private Center Club and enjoyed 21 delicious small bites prepared by 16 Southern California chefs in a competition critiqued by a panel of celebrity judges, including Simon Majumdar, world-renowned food critic, author and television personality and Cathy Thomas, food expert and columnist at The Orange County Register.
The evening’s 1st Place award was bestowed upon Palm Terrace Restaurant at Island Hotel for its S’more Taco, while 2nd Place was presented to Pacific Club for its Roasted Root Vegetable Bisque, and 3rd Place was awarded to The City Club at Bunker Hill for its Mole Heirloom Tomato Salad. The event’s attendees also participated in the judging by selecting Crème de la Crème’s Short Rib Chili for the People’s Choice Award.
“The Next Food Network Star’s” finalists Jyll Everman and Katy Clark were in attendance, joined by restaurants: Bistango, Britta’s Café, Crème de la Crème, Mastro’s Steakhouse and Nirvana Grille. Hotels competing were Island Hotel, Pelican Hill Resort, Temecula Creek Inn and Wyndham. Private Clubs at the event included The City Club at Bunker Hill, Mesa Verde Country Club, Pacific Club, University Club Atop Symphony Towers, and Center Club’s own Chef Butler representing Center Club.
