The 41st Restaurant Gala raised more than $300,000 for Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
ATLANTIC CITY – Atlantic Cape Community College held its 41st Restaurant Gala Thursday evening at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center. The sold out event, which raises money to support student chefs enrolled at the Academy of Culinary Arts, exceeded its fundraising goal bringing in the most money ever – $306,210 for student scholarships and emergency support.
More than 1,000 ACA supporters donned formal attire in keeping with the gala’s theme for 2024 – Springtime in Paris. Greeting guests at the door was a 1700s-era costumed actor bearing an elaborate skirt of champagne, the perfect complement to the sumptuous raw bar and hors d’oeuvres prepared by student chefs of the ACA for the cocktail hour.
As the doors to the ballroom opened, guests were dazzled by the eclectic mix of small bites presented by more than 50 of the region’s favorite restaurants. All of the carefully plated food presented during the dinner hour was donated by the restaurants. The event featured an open bar, champagne bar and tastings of local breweries and distilleries. A spread of elegant desserts topped the evening.
The event honored two individuals who have worked to advance careers in the culinary industry. Awards recognized Borgata Hotel Casino Chief Operating Officer Travis Lunn as its Community Honoree and Tropicana Executive Chef Demetrios Haronis, a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts Class of 1990, as its ACA Honoree.
Since its inception, the gala has raised more than $4 million to ensure the students’ success.
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