Five of the East Valley’s top chefs are working together on an evening of great food and music Monday, Nov. 16, to raise money for local charities.
The participating chefs, all of whom run their own small, independent restaurants, are (pictured above from left to right):
- Dennis Petty from JC’s Steakhouse in Gilbert
- Anthony Serrano from El Palacio Mexican Restaurant in Chandler
- Romeo Taus from Romeo’s Euro Cafe in Gilbert
- John Wong from Asia in Mesa
- Sal Zappone from Zappone’s Italian Bistro in Gilbert
The chefs already participate in Chef Off, a four-year-old series of friendly culinary competitions held every other month or so.
“We’ve been talking about doing this for a while,” Petty says. “The Chef Offs are a competition. We want to show we can work together. We want to do a showcase instead of a vote with just one winner.”
For the event, which will be held at JC’s Steakhouse, the chefs will prepare a six-course dinner with the theme “A Trip Around the World.” Each will contribute a signature dish.
Members of the bands that regularly play JC’s – such as Chuck E. Baby and the All-Stars and The Harry McGraw Band – will form a “super band” to provide the evening’s entertainment.
“Chuck’s sister is battling breast cancer, and we support several other charities,” Petty says. “We got talking and realized we have chance to raise money for some good causes.”
If successful, the chefs would like to hold the event two or three times per year at different restaurants.
Tickets likely will be $100 per person, which will include all food, wine, and entertainment.
The chefs are meeting later this week to hammer out the final details. Stay tuned.
