Children on chefs’ minds at holiday event

The mood was upbeat at the recent American Culinary Federation of Las Vegas' annual holiday reception and dinner at The Orleans Ballroom.

Chefs and their guests were requested to bring a child's toy to be donated to various children's charities.

Chef Christopher Johns, chairman of Chefs for Kids, noted the largest recipient of the toys collected that evening would be Shade Tree shelter. The organization sponsors the annual Chefs for Kids Christmas Eve morning breakfast, when the chefs arrive early at Shade Tree to prepare a hot deluxe breakfast for all the clients and their children.

American Culinary Federation of Las Vegas President Tom Rosenberger spoke about the group's successful year of implementing new organizational high-tech systems, trimming expenses and finding new revenue opportunities.

Rosenberger also introduced chef Patrick Simon, the 2012 Chef of the Year, and honored guest chef Michael Ty, national president of the American Culinary Federation.

Simon spoke about the Chefs for Kids 5k Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk set for Jan. 19. Sarah Scott told about the next Chefs for Kids Golf Tournament to be held in October.

The reception offered hot and cold canapes, fresh seafood including oysters and clams on the half shell, seasonal fruit and imported cheeses. There were cooked-to-order pasta stations, and carving stations with all the accompaniments plus the ever-popular stuffed pork chops. Dessert buffets offered assorted sweet temptations as well as chocolate fountains for the dipping of fruits and Rice Krispie bars.

Orleans chef Phillip Bonanno and his staff were introduced.

Among the partygoers were Steve Soltz, William Pfersching, Claude and Mary Lambertz, Dennis and Helen Lambertz, Jean Hertzman, Billy McGreevy, Susan and Rudy Lednicky, Madeleine Sigman-Grant and Milton Grant, Frank Insera, John Metcalfe, Anna Trifiletti, Natasha Alikova, Joey Campos, and Sarah and Joe Scott.

Also, Nicole Simon, Theresa and Terry Long, Rudi Eichler, Ken Sotelo, Tamajon Bivins, Alan Brown, Traci Palacios, George Bailey, Lydia Brown, Theresa and Leo Kessler, Mary Ann Zollar, Maria Zelinsky, and Don Salomonson, aka Santa Claus.