Great Food for a Great Cause!

 

Star Chefs and the Wines & Spirits They Love features an exceptional lineup of top local chefs who donate their time and talent to make this soirée a memorable and delicious event—helping our community in the process. Each chef (representing a variety of well-known restaurants across the Bay Area) will prepare an exquisite small plate paired with a specific pour of wine, beer, or spirit. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be provided. Also, witness a lively chef competition with three awards: Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice (your vote counts!), and Chef’s Choice. 

Event Details:

  • Sunday, September 29 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Located at a beautiful, private home near downtown Saratoga

Have questions about Sunday’s Star Chefs event? Please call Kevin Gonzalez at (916) 529-5167

Participating Restaurants & Beverage Partners

This Event Made Possible by Our Generous Sponsors:

Meet the Chefs

  • Chef Ross Hanson, Oak & Rye

    Named a Rising Young Chef by Gentry Magazine, Ross graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. After working at several of the finest restaurants in Telluride, he returned to his hometown of Los Gatos to open his own catering business. After five years of “pop-up” restaurants, Ross opened the highly successful Restaurant James Randall. The restaurant enjoyed a ten-year run until the time came for a new venture: Oak & Rye. For more than a decade, Oak & Rye has been the place to go for delicious wood-fired pizza (baked in a special copper mosaic oven), a varied and delectable menu, and excellent cocktails.

    Photo credit: Tastemade

  • Chef Jeffrey Stout, Orchard City Kitchen & Be.Steak.A

    A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Jeffrey Stout climbed his way from a young cook in many acclaimed Bay Area restaurants towards eventually opening his own. Today, he is a celebrated chef and restaurateur in the South Bay with two acclaimed restaurants: Orchard City Kitchen and Be.Steak.A. Having earned a Michelin Star in a previous role as chef, Stout continues to strive for that coveted recognition. Orchard City Kitchen (OCK) has been honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand and most recently Be.Steak.A. received a place in the guide as a recognized restaurant.

    Photo credit: The Mercury News

  • Chef Peter Armellino, The Plumed Horse

    Chef Peter Armellino began cooking professionally at the age of 17 on Long Island. In the early 90s, he moved to New York City, honing his skills at top restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern. Later, after moving west to the Bay Area, he began working alongside Chef Laurent Manrique, first at Campton Place and then later at Aqua restaurant as Chef de Cuisine. In 2008, he became chef at The Plumed Horse, which has been awarded a coveted Michelin Star consecutively each year since 2009 under his direction. Chef Armellino continues to present elegant, ever-evolving, modern California cuisine, emphasizing food that is fresh, seasonal, and sustainably produced.

    Photo credit: The Plumed Horse

  • Chef Jacob Farleigh, Silos Morgan Hill

    Jacob Farleigh, a Bay Area native, was raised in the agriculturally rich valley of Morgan Hill. Family gatherings always revolved around food, sparking his love for cooking. In 2008 he began his chef’s journey at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, graduating with honors in 2010. He completed an externship at the Michelin-starred restaurant Manresa under Chef David Kinch and went on to join the crew at Marché under Chef Guillaume Bienaime. Michelin-starred Dio Deka came along next, followed by stints at 1601 Bar & Kitchen and The Stanford Park Hotel. Jacob will now head up the culinary team at Silos Morgan Hill (opening soon!) in the heart of his hometown.

    Photo credit: Left Bank Brasserie (Larkspur)

  • Chef Marcelino Hernandez, ASA Los Gatos

    For the past thirty years, Marcelino Hernandez has been cooking here in the Bay Area. Currently the executive chef of ASA Los Gatos, his resume also boasts The Basin and Casa de Cobre in Saratoga, CA. Born in Santa Clara del Cobre Michoacan Mexico, his zest for cooking stems from his family origins. Naturally soft spoken, his food speaks volumes for itself with rustic flavors and simple, yet highly sourced ingredients. Chef Hernandez has been working in tandem with Andrew Welch, the proprietor of ASA Restaurant, for the better part of 25 years and their teamwork has inspired many signature dishes. Humble and kind, you can always find Hernandez in his brightly colored chef pants, smiling while cooking. Simply put, Chef Hernandez's food tastes like love.

    Photo credit: ASA Los Gatos

  • Chef Jonathan Toste, Flowers Saratoga

    Chef Jonathan Toste first discovered his passion for food at the age of 15 when he landed his first position in the kitchen. From there his passion and drive compelled him to learn as much as he could about food. He worked his way through every restaurant station throughout the years and then decided to take it to the next level and start his formal education at CCA Culinary Arts. After graduation, he accepted his first Executive Chef position at a Spanish tapas restaurant. As his love for food and different cuisines grew, new chapters and opportunities opened up. He attended different culinary cook-offs and Iron Chef challenges which led to several victories! Joining forces with Flowers Saratoga, he has been able to share his passion for creative cuisine and help bring a great experience to the dining room.

    Photo credit: Mercury News

  • Chef Jose Mendoza, The Hero Ranch Kitchen

    Chef Jose Mendoza was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico and moved to San Jose at the age of 16. He worked multiple jobs when he first arrived in California, but soon realized cooking was his true passion.

    Chef Mendoza displayed great drive and initiative, starting as a dishwasher and working his way up to Head Chef at Telleleria, where he stayed for 10 years. He then continued his journey when he joined The Hero Ranch Kitchen in 2019. Since then, Chef Mendoza has elevated the term "comfort food"!





    Photo credit: The Hero Ranch Kitchen

  • Chef Jackie Jackson, Jackie's Place

    Chef Jackie runs the show at Jackie's Place: soul food at its finest in downtown San Jose. Jackie has been cooking since the age of 8, taught by her mother who was a chef most of her adult life. Jackie's business and clientele roster includes catering for companies like Google, Apple, The San Francisco 49ers, the City of San Jose, and TiVo. Jackie's Place opened in Japantown in 2018 to great success, but a devastating fire and the pandemic destroyed the restaurant. Jackie's prayers were answered when she was able to reopen in a new location in 2021. Three years after reopening her doors, Jackie is continuing her dreams serving great food in a place that creates memories for the community. Additionally, Jackie and her family are in the process of launching “The Big Love Foundation”, a nonprofit focused on addressing food insecurity.

    Photo credit: NBC Bay Area

  • Chef Ricky Nguyen, The Bywater

    Chef Ricky Nguyen is a culinary artist renowned for his innovative approach to modern cuisine. Chef Ricky joined the team at The Bywater working with Michelin-starred chef/owner David Kinch. Ricky started his restaurant career in the dish pit and due to his natural abilities and his hard work, he rose through the ranks and is now a highly respected culinary talent. His career spans through several prestigious kitchens, leaving his mark at Marche, BarZola, and Portola Kitchen. In each restaurant, Chef Nguyen was celebrated for his ability to blend bold flavors with sophisticated techniques, earning accolades for his inventive menus that helped redefine our local dining scene. Chef Nguyen's culinary journey is marked by a deep passion for food, an eye for detail, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

  • Chef Patrick Capurro, Be.Steak.A

    Chef Patrick Capurro began his culinary journey in the kitchens of Spiaggia, a renowned Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in Chicago. He continued his training at Michelin star recipient Longman & Eagle and then two-Michelin starred Sixteen. He spent three years as Sous Chef for Chef Sarah Grueneberg in opening Monteverde in Chicago. Upon moving to San Jose, he began working with Chef Jeffrey Stout as Sous Chef at Orchard City Kitchen, while supporting the development and creation of Be.Steak.A. Today, under the guidance of chef and owner Jeffrey Stout, he strives to engage the Be.Steak.A team to execute at their very best, while providing diners in the South Bay area a unique and memorable fine dining experience.

    Photo credit: Be.Steak.A

Why Attend?

Attendee Benefits: 

  • Make a Difference: Your ticket directly supports Momentum’s vital mission of providing essential behavioral health services in Santa Clara County.
  • Enjoy Great Food & Beverages: Indulge in a curated tasting experience featuring an array of delectable small plates crafted by renowned Bay Area chefs.
  • Cast Your Vote: Witness culinary mastery unfold and cast your vote for your favorite creation in the exciting People’s Choice Award.
  • Be Inspired: Hear a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of Momentum’s services.
  • Raise Your Paddle: Participate in a fun live auction and Raise the Paddle activity to advance Momentum’s mission.

 

Sponsor Benefits:

  • Invest in Behavioral Health: Partner with us and make a significant contribution to behavioral health initiatives in our community.
  • Premium Exposure: Showcase your brand to hundreds of prominent business leaders and thousands of engaged community members.
  • Employee Wellness Advantage: Select sponsorship packages include valuable Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for your employees, empowering them to support others facing mental health challenges (learn more about MHFA benefits in our Sponsor Packet below).
  • Prominent Recognition: Gain prominent recognition through logo placement on all event materials, our website, and social media platforms.

 

View our sponsorship packet for more information!

 

Become a Sponsor

Can’t Attend? Consider Making a Gift!

While we’d love to see you this September, there are other ways you can support Momentum’s mission to help our community achieve mental and emotional health, discover their potential, and fully participate in life.

Consider making a gift of any amount today and help ensure everyone who needs access to essential behavioral health services receives them. Your contribution, no matter the size, has a powerful impact.

Make a Gift to the Momentum Fund

Our Impact

  • Graciela

    “I realized I didn't need to fight this fight alone, Once you're here, you're able to block everything out and really focus on what's in front of you.”

  • Jason

    “Momentum gave me back a life, I’ve learned that I can overcome the things I've made into big mountains, if I open my mind and am willing to do the work.”

  • Val

    “Here I am with people who support me, and I support them. I can say with 100% certainty that Momentum saved my life.”