‘Great Chefs’ Tempt Guests at Benefit

A few waistline-watchers flinched, but most guests sampled every available treat Sunday afternoon when the “Great Chefs of Orange County” served their specialties for a National Kidney Foundation benefit at the new Alicante Princess Hotel in Garden Grove. With chefs from Antoine’s, Gemmel’s, the Ritz-Carlton, Prego, the 30th Street Bistro and other such restaurants manning the tables, choices included everything from shellfish soup, “Provence-style,” to nut-covered salmon.

“My goodness, what haven’t we tried?” said Leah Marshall by mid-afternoon.

Carol Wilson confessed to sampling half the sumptuous delicacies, but declared as her favorites some Oriental appetizers for their “clarity of taste.”

Event co-chair Norma Cherniss said she hadn’t planned to eat much but tried some sausage anyway.

“I’m counting calories today,” said co-chair Joyce Spizer, who shared Cherniss’ original sentiments. Soon, however, she turned to Cherniss pleading, “Norma, help me be strong.”

According to associate event chairman Hans Bratt, food and beverage director for the Alicante Princess, arrangements had only begun 10 weeks back. At $75 per person and a turnout that organizers of the event counted at 350, Bratt’s hasty plans helped raise $25,000 for the charity.

Participating chefs also came from Andreino’s, Bangkok 3, B.B. Steamers, Cano’s, Chanteclair, Chez Cary, Dover’s at the Doubletree, Five Feet, Granville’s at the Disneyland Hotel, J.J.’s Bistro, J.W.’s at the Anaheim Marriott, Morell’s Restaurant at the Irvine Hilton, Panache, Mr. Stox, Pave, Players, Remick’s, the Ritz, Alfredo’s, and the Studio Cafe.

The emergency room at Martin Luther Hospital Medical Center in Anaheim will soon have some new equipment, thanks to a turnout of 800 supporters at Saturday night’s ninth annual $125-per-plate “Autumn Ambrosia” gala at the Disneyland Hotel.

After a brief stop for cocktails, the overflow crowd of physicians, hospital employees and community members settled into the Grand Ballroom for an evening of dinner, dancing and entertainment. Comedian Loni Shorr provided the humor, while Toni Tennille, formerly of the Captain & (“Love Will Keep Us Together”) Tennille, serenaded the guests with a sampling of old favorites from the Big Band days.

Dr. Robert Kollen, director of the hospital’s emergency department, estimated that this year’s event netted $45,000 toward the purchase of a cardiac monitoring system, the exact cost depending upon “how many whistles and bells we get on it.” His guess was that a $52,000 model would have such “whistles” as a central eight-station monitor with TV screens, bedside monitors and an arrhythmia warning system “so that nurses can keep tabs on all the patients when the emergency room gets busy.”

“Our emergency room is one of the busiest in the area, and it needs updating,” said Dr. W. Kenneth Halliday, chief of staff.

Foundation Board member Delno Kanode served as general chairman for this year’s event.