2017 Mama’s Day Tasting at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla

The 26^th annual Mama’s Day, benefiting Mama’s Kitchen, is scheduled for Friday, May 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. The fundraising event, held the Friday evening before Mother’s Day, features more than 55 chefs from San Diego’s finest restaurants, hotels and catering companies who graciously prepare delicious samples for nearly 650 attendees.

Mama’s Day is the original San Diego tasting event and helps to raise critical funds for Mama’s Kitchen’s mission to deliver hot, nutritious meals free of charge to local men, women and children affected by AIDS or cancer. Last year, Mama’s Day raised $165,000, which provided 51,000 home-delivered meals.

Guests enjoy food, music and fun throughout the evening while dining on distinctive dishes graciously prepared and served by executive chefs from the region’s top restaurants. At this San Diego tasting event, guests are also encouraged to bid on an extensive silent auction or buy a chance to win fabulous prizes in an opportunity drawing to help raise critical funds for those most vulnerable to hunger in San Diego County.

This year’s event is chaired by long-time volunteer Jennifer Kearns. Jennifer has served Mama’s Kitchen for over two decades as a donor and board member (2004 to 2010; 2014 to present), as well as president of the board in 2007 and Mama’s Day co-chair in 2008. Jennifer, who is a partner at Duane Morris LLP, recently returned to the Mama’s Kitchen board of directors in 2014.

“I am committed to Mama’s Kitchen because I have seen first-hand the impact that Mama’s makes on the lives of our clients. They are so grateful for our deliveries of nutritious food, accompanied by a warm smile,” said Jennifer. “Mama’s Day is our largest fundraising event and every year, our valued food and beverage providers raise the bar higher and higher. It’s truly a culinary extravaganza!”

Presented by Nordstrom and hosted by Sycuan, Mama’s Day pre-sale tickets are available for just $150 per person and $175 at the door. Premium VIP tickets are available for $250 each, and include early access at 5:30 p.m. to an exclusive VIP dining area and pre-party featuring a private culinary presentation by Chef Bernard Guillas of The Marine Room before the doors open to general admission attendees at 6:30 p.m. VIPs also enjoy a full hosted bar for two hours.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mamaskitchen.org.

Mama’s Day 2017 Restaurant Participants (as of April 27, 2017)

• Aqui es Texcoco
• Argyle Steakhouse at Park Hyatt Aviara
• Be Wise Ranch*
• Bice San Diego
• Breakfast Republic
• Bully’s East
• Café Japengo
• Café la Rue at La Valencia Hotel*
• Café Secret
• Catania*
• Chinita’s Pies*
• Currant American Brasserie
• Decker Brothers Gourmet
• EscoGelato
• Farmer’s Bottega*
• Fig Tree Café
• Groundswell Brewing Co.
• Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar
• Hash House a Go Go
• Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge*
• Loews Coronado Bay Resort
• The Main Course Restaurant
• Marina Kitchen Restaurant and Bar
• Nason’s Beer Hall*
• Nine-Ten Restaurant
• Paipa’s Buffet at Sycuan Casino
• Pardon My French Bar & Kitchen
• Piatti Restaurant
• Ponsaty’s*
• Poseidon Restaurant*
• Provisional*
• The Red Door
• Sally’s Fish House and Bar
• Searsucker
• Snooze, An A.M. Eatery
• SR76 Beerworks*
• Stehly Farms Organics
• Taj Farms
• Temecula Olive Oil Co.
• Top of the Market
• Uptown Tavern
• Vesper Vineyards
• Wachena at Sycuan Casino
• Waypoint Public
• Wild Thyme Company
• Wrench & Rodent
• Yard House