Great chefs converge at Kidney Foundation benefit

-- Alex Coolman

Whit Kenerson has seen too many food festivals go bland by offering

muddled, generic dining experiences to the people who come to eat. When

he planned the ‘Great Chefs of Orange County’ event to be held Oct. 17 at

the Sutton Hotel, he was determined not to make the same mistake.

Kenerson put together a roster of more than 20 of Orange County’s

distinguished chefs and encouraged them to prepare the dishes they are

best known for. The result, so Kenerson hopes, is that that the event

will treat festival-goers to some flavors to remember.

“It’s not just a taste of something,” Kenerson said of the upcoming

event. “It’s really the signature dishes of the chefs.”

The event, to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Southern

California’s patient services, public education and research programs,

features contributions from many local chefs, including John Sharpe of

Aysia 101, Richard Mead of Sage, and Tim Goodell of Troquet and

Aubergine.

“It’s not always the best-known restaurants,” Kenerson said. “But it

might be an up-and-coming young chef. What they come up with every year

is phenomenal.”

In addition to its culinary attractions, the festival features an auction

of various luxury vacation, dining and sporting events.

Last year’s “Great Chefs” event sold out, with 650 attendees. Kenerson

expects this year’s event to be even bigger.

Tickets are $85 and reservations are required. For more information, call

(310) 823-8118.