SEATTLE, WA, MAY 2009 – The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center was the scene of the Pacific Northwest’s most illustrious culinary event of 2009.  For one-night only, the up-and-coming culinary stars of Seattle’s leading restaurants presented their signature dishesat Star Chefs walk-around tasting gala and awards ceremony. 

 As the master concessionaire for McCaw Hall, SAVOR by SMGplayed a vital and discreet role, ensuring that the 12 cooking stations used by the local celebrity chefs functioned efficiently and providing service staff and bartenders who graciously plied attendees with samplings of the many exquisite dishes and wines.

 In addition, Kelly Gaddis, SAVOR’s onsite executive chef, participated as the gala host chef, preparing a savory panna cotta with seasonal asparagus, a dish for which McCaw’s Prelude Restaurant is renowned.

 The evening was capped by an awards ceremony.  The Restaurateur Award went to Ethan Stowell, owner of Union, Tavolata, Olives and Anchovies, and How to Cook a Wolf; Hotel Chef Award to Adam Stevenson of Earth & Ocean at the W Seattle; Sustainability Award to Maria Hines of Tilth, and Restaurant Concept Award to Joshua Henderson of Skillet Street Food.

VIP guests also frequented the Ocean Club and Founders Club, offering a custom menu of local fare.

 In addition to a selection of wines especially chosen by a sommelier, the event featured Nicolas Feuillatte as the champagne sponsor and Stella Artois as the beer sponsor.

Lindsay Vietor, Events Manager for Star Chefs, deemed the sold-out event “a tremendous success with over 400 attendees, including the who’s who of Seattle’s food industry and food media.”

 Additionally, the event had a lasting impact that extended into the community, with fund raised benefiting FareStart, a local culinary job Artois as the beer sponsor, training and placement program for disadvantaged and homeless individuals.