THE CROWD:

Share Our Selves held its 18th annual Celebrity Chef Dinner at the Hilton Hotel Costa Mesa raising an impressive $261,000. The funds will support the Share Our Selves Orange Aid project with the primary purpose of collecting food from restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and caterers in the community for distribution to needy Orange County residents.

This year’s Celebrity Chef Dinner was created around five fabulous courses paired with donated wines. Each of the five courses were prepared by a team of local star chefs. The culinary lineup included Franco Barone from Antonello, Bill Bracken from the Island Hotel, Alan Greeley from the Golden Truffle, Carlito Jocson from the Yard House, and Louie Jocson from Family Tree Produce. Also creating culinary magic was Michael Kang from 5’ restaurant in Laguna Beach, Chad Karhling from the Hilton, Donald Lockhart from the Fairmont, Mathew Mattison from Orange Hill, Rich Mead from Sage, Ken Mukai from Yoshi’s Sushi, Adrien Shrana from the Newport Beach Marriott, and Paul Squicciarini from the Orange County Wine and Food Center. It is important to name all the participating chefs, for without their care and creativity the Share Our Selves dining event would not be possible.

Community good guy Ed Arnold emceed the live auction during dinner. A Yard House promotion encouraging guests to donate $25, $50 or $100 a month to Share Our Selves in exchange for a Yard House gift certificate each month brought in an astonishing $27,800 for the nonprofit. Other generous donors included Black Starr and Frost Jewelry, and a long list of local restaurants and wine purveyors. In addition to generous individual sponsors, major corporate support from Taco Bell, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Rutan and Tucker LLP, St. Joseph Health System, Fred Segal Foundation, and the Kavanaugh Family Fund made the evening possible.

Some of the dedicated committee members included Eric Alcouloumre, Minnie Ballard, Bill and Leslie Cowles, Cyndy Check, Karen Harrington, Karen McGlinn, and Ryan Murillo to name a few.

The Share Our Selves Orange Aid project was conceived by Hal Rosoff, Michael Kang, John Martin, Jonathan Blum, Karen McGlinn and the much-loved Marla Bird. Six mornings a week volunteers and staff collect food from throughout Orange County and make sure it goes where it is needed. In any given week Share Our Selves distributes some 250 bags of groceries a day, with most of it coming as a result of the Orange Aid project.

For more information on Share Our Selves call Elizabeth Evans at (949) 515-5400.

On Nov. 8, the Mariners Foundation will throw its annual fall fundraiser that organizers are calling “Studio M” for Mariners. The evening of high-pitched fun kicks off at the Orange County Fair grounds with entertainment provided by the popular Tijuana Dogs.

It’s the 10th annual event for the Mariners Foundation in support of Mariners Elementary School, Newport Beach.

The party will take on a ’70s disco theme with tickets priced at $100 per person. Join friends and neighbors for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Log on to www.Marinersfoundation.com to purchase tickets and register for the big auction, which will raise funds for extended day care, support of teachers and school beautification.

Mark your calendar for 6 p.m. Nov. 20 for Santa Claus is due to arrive at the 27th annual South Coast Plaza Tree lighting ceremony. Last week, the giant 95-foot tree arrived in Town Center Park, Costa Mesa.

The elves are busy for the next few weeks, creating all the holiday sparkle.

The entire community is invited to join the talented students from the Orange County High School of the Arts performing in conjunction with the annual tree lighting and continuing the grand tradition. Beverly Morgan of South Coast Plaza reports that Santa’s sleigh will be filled with gifts for everyone who comes to the tree lighting.

A suite at the Westin South Coast Plaza has been reserved for Santa and Mrs. Claus who will stay overnight and report to South Coast Plaza early the next morning to start the holiday season with plenty of joy.

To find out more about the tree lighting call (714) 435-2000.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.