A tasting of chocolate ganache by chef Amanda Lauder (The Ganachery)
Heart of Florida United Way hosts its 24th annual Chef’s Gala May 21 at Epcot World Showplace. It’s United Way’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds going to support education, income, health and basic needs for more than 400,000 people.

We got a sneak peek this past Wednesday into some of the fare that will be offered at the Chef’s Gala. The dishes were prepared by chefs Mariano Vegel (Primo at JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes), Jared Gross (Urban Tide at Hyatt Regency Orlando), Nicolas Lebas (Bull & Bear) and Amanda Lauder (The Ganachery).

Syrah wine braised beef short rib, Yukon Gold mashed potato (Lebas)
Peekytoe crab salad on a gougère, lemon and smoked paprika aioli, shallots, root vegetable chips (Vegel)
Loch Duart salmon, Meyer lemon aioli, green apple avocado toast, hot pepper jelly (Gross)
Wines
From L-R: Gross, Lebas, former Surgeon-General and event co-chair Dr. Antonia Novello, event co-chair John Pisan, Vegel

Related Stories

This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2016.

Orlando restaurant critic. Orlando Weekly restaurant critic since 2006.