Disney Hosted Chef’s Gala Raises a Record $296,000 for Heart of Florida United Way
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 7, 2013 – Twenty-four top chefs from Central Florida’s finest dining establishments, including 12 from the Walt Disney World Resort, participated in the 21st Annual Chef’s Gala at Epcot World Showplace, raising a record $296,000 for Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW).
“This year’s Chef’s Gala was yet another outstanding success especially considering the economic challenges still facing our community,” said Robert H. (Bob) Brown, President/CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. “Thanks to the dedication of our co-chairs, Disney, the chefs and our title sponsor Tupperware, 95 percent of all money raised will go to help our neighbors, friends, family and co-workers who have fallen on hard times recently.”
The money raised will benefit local non-profit programs supported by United Way that provide food, shelter and other services in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.
“Walt Disney World is proud to have hosted and sponsored the Chef’s Gala event for the past 21 years,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Walt Disney World Community Relations, “In addition to our annual workplace giving campaign and loaned executives, our support of this event is one more way that we can help the Heart of Florida United Way impact those in need in Central Florida.”
Disney Cast Members give generously to the annual workplace campaign, contributing more than $2 million each year.
The following establishments participated in Chef’s Gala 2013:
Artist Point
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Contemporary ResortFlying Fish CafeDisney’s BoardWalkThe Hollywood Brown DerbyDisney’s Hollywood Studios®
Kona Café
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Epcot®
Narcoossee’s
Disney’s Grad Floridian Resort & Spa
Sanaa
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Tusker House Restaurant
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM®
Theme Park
Shutters
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Primo by Melissa Kelly
Grande Lakes Orlando
The Capital Grille
Darden
La Luce
Hilton, Orlando Bonnet Creek
Cask & Larder
Cress Restaurant
Eddie V’s
Darden
Funky Monkey Wine Company
Napa
The Peabody Orlando
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Siro
Orlando World Center Marriott
Desserts
Be Our Guest Restaurant
MAGIC KINGDOM® Park
Epcot® Bakery
4 Rivers Sweet Shop
Seasons 52
Darden
Coffees
Coffee Roasters’ Alliance
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company