From left to right: ACRS Board President Debadutta Dash, Sam Ung, owner Phnom Penh Noodle House, Paul Qui, Winner of Top Chef Mark Santiago, Executive Sous Chef at The Westin Bellevue, Christine Chen Velasquez, emcee/yoga instructor/health and wellness author (Photo by Amanda Roth/ACRS)
The Asian Counseling and Referral Service raised over $120,000 last Saturday, Oct. 6, at their annual gala, “A Culinary Journey.” The event was anchored by a four-course dinner menu, which was planned by four local celebrity chefs. This year’s meal was created by Chef Mark Santiago of the Westin Bellevue, Phnom Penh Noodle House’s Chef Sam Ung, Top Chef champion Paul Qui, and Chef Helen of Cake Envy. Their dishes were prepared by the Bellevue Westin kitchen staff and served to the 330 guests in attendance.
In addition to the dinner, the event featured performances by Bandon McIntosh and the Apna Bhangra Crew, and an auction moderated by Al Sugiyama, the founder of the Center for Career Alternatives.
The donations will go to fuel ACRS’s 13 programs, including chemical dependency treatment, emergency meal services, domestic violence prevention services, and more. (end)
