Event Highlights

Mama's Day 2012--a Record-Breaking Success!

Executive Director Alberto Corté́s celebrating with guests.	Cafe Japengo preparing unique creations at Mama's Day 2012.
Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room with Patricio Esquivel Enchanting Events.	Chef Sté́phane Voitzwinkler of Bertrand at Mr. A's with his crew.

On May 11th, hundreds of guests dined on distinctive tastings created by over 60 restaurants while celebrating 21 years of love at Mama's Day, held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla Aventine. "Mama's Day is our largest fundraiser of the year, and we were delighted to see San Diego's best and brightest culinary professionals from the finest restaurants, hotels and catering companies return to donate their time, talent, and delicious food for the event, which enables us to continue to serve meals to critically ill clients throughout San Diego County at no charge," said Alberto Cortés, Executive Director of Mama's Kitchen.

Presented by Nordstrom and hosted by Sycuan Casino, Mama's Day 2012 was chaired by Heather Bowden, an avid supporter of Mama's Kitchen for many years. With her help and the work of dozens of volunteers, extraordinary chefs, and generous sponsors, the annual event raised a record-breaking $190,000, enabling Mama's Kitchen to continue to provide life-sustaining meals for our neighbors battling AIDS or cancer. New this year was a large scale photo gallery, featuring images of clients, donors and volunteers, and illustrating the humanity of our mission. Riviera Magazine sponsored an exclusive VIP poolside Cabana Lounge, with a food and cocktail presentation by Culinary Host Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien and Snake Oil Cocktail Mixologist Ian Ward. Other sponsors included Union Bank, Swank Audio Visuals, Pepsi, Bowden Family Foundation, Issa Family Foundation, Food Team Staffing, Barney & Barney, Edward Hand & Stan Harazim, Golden Eagle Insurance Corp., Louise L. Hay, Schenck Building Co., Rancho Valencia Restaurant and Stone Catering. Please visit our website for a complete list of sponsors and participating restaurants.

Photography courtesy of Imagery With Impact.

An Enchanted Summer Solstice Evening

This June 19th, the Mama's Kitchen Board of Directors hosted its 4th Annual Presidential Dining Experience, welcoming new friends, sponsors, and donors to our new Home Avenue facility. Summer Solstice was the theme of this formal dining extravaganza, which was designed to increase awareness and gain support for our organization.

The Kitchen's Community Room was transformed into a lavish dining venue, and an opulent 5-course farm-to-table meal was organized and executed by Just Call Us Catering and prepared by several area restaurants and caterers, including Alchemy, The Red Door, Carnitas' Snack Shack, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Catalina Offshore Products, Monsoon Group, Cork and Platter, and Mixologist Chad White of Sea Rocket Bistro. The evening included chef demonstrations, sommelier, and custom cocktails. Special thanks go to Just Call Us, Wedding Elegance, Concepts Event Design, Urban Plantations, Carruth Cellars, Specialty Produce, Arturo Marques of Artquest Flowers, Gravity Productions, Food Team Staffing, TK& A Custom Catering, Hyatt La Jolla Aventine, and Pink Star Design.

100% of the proceeds from the Presidential Dining Experience are used to purchase food and containers in support of the mission of Mama's Kitchen.

Photo courtesy of Resolusean Photography & Events.

Save Room for Pie!

The West Coast's largest (and sweetest!) bake sale returns with our 8th annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser, running from October 1st through November 21st. Thousands of delicious pies will be donated by generous chefs and restaurants to Mama's Kitchen and then sold throughout San Diego County, raising essential funds to carry out our mission. Sign up to be Pie Seller individual or team and get your own personal Pie Seller website page! Stay tuned at www.mamaspies.org.