Celebrity Chefs

Craig Strong is one of Orange County’s most tenured and decorated chefs. From the coasts of California to Washington, DC, and Barcelona to Hong Kong, Chef Strong has cooked all over the world. With each locale, he strengthened his classical technique and added to his repertoire a mastery of exotic and global flavors. Prior to opening his first restaurant, Ocean at Main in 2018, Chef Strong’s star-studded 25-year career began working in luxury hotels and resorts around the world. He earned a Michelin star to his credit two years in a row during his time at The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena in 2007 and 2008. The following year, he accepted a position as Executive Chef of Studio at the Montage in Laguna Beach and was honored as a semifinalist for the 2009 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef – West. During his nine years at Studio, he earned and upheld the Forbes Travel Guide’s highest honor – a coveted 5-Star rating. Having gained national and critical acclaim as a premier chef and restaurateur, Chef Craig Strong continues to distinguish himself in Orange County’s diverse culinary landscape.

Chef Casey Thompson is a former finalist and three-time competitor on the hit show “Top Chef.” She owns a private dining business, “Chef Casey Thompson,” and enjoys creating dishes using farm-fresh ingredients. She has cooked her way through Napa Valley, learning the art of pairing farmed food with wines.

“Food is a love story between the guest, the chef and the winemaker…it feeds the soul, nourishes the body and delights the eye, while inviting a beautiful wine to pair naturally. After all, the culinary arts are the only art forms that touch all the senses.” Sutton is the Culinary Director of Disney Signature Restaurants; he continues to have an incredible journey with the cast and creative Chefs at the Disneyland Resort. Chef Sutton joined Disney in 2000 to create Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, followed by Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge at Disney California Adventure Park 2012. Sutton took over the newly renovated Club 33 in 2014. Most recently in 2017, he opened 21 Royal—a unique, private group dining experience in Disneyland. Sutton has been awarded the prestigious Antonin Carême Medal from the American Culinary Federation as well as the Golden Foodies Chef of the year.

Chef Amar Santana is one of Orange County’s hottest rising stars who is undeniably transforming the OC culinary scene into a food destination. Chef Amar is the Executive Chef and Partner at Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, CA and Vaca in Costa Mesa, CA. Chef Amar has traveled the world collecting inspiration and accolades, including a position in the final round of Bravo’s Top Chef. His globally influenced menus include unexpected flavor profiles and artful presentations, reflecting his zeal for food and for life.

In 2007, after decades of holding executive culinary positions at five-star resorts around the globe, Chef Azmin Ghahreman opened his restaurant, Sapphire Laguna, and the adjacent gourmet specialty shop, Sapphire Pantry, to share foods and ingredients inspired by cultures from around the world. Since the beginning, the restaurant and shop were embraced by the Orange County community and visitors alike. The seasonally evolving menu, featuring globally-inspired cuisine, incorporates the freshest ingredients available, many of which are found at local farms, specialty markets and artisan suppliers. In addition to providing world-class cuisine, he is just as committed to bettering childhood nutrition, and in 2008 founded Sapphire at School. The nutrition-focused lunch program currently partners with nine schools in Orange County and prepares fresh and wholesome meals to more than 4,000+ students daily. Chef Azmin and his award-winning cuisine have received countless accolades and notable mentions in media including: Sunset, Relish, Orange Coast, Westways, Riviera Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and the Orange County Register, among others. Recently, he was featured in Laguna Beach Magazine as one of the top 10 most influential people of Laguna Beach for supporting the culture, collective well-being and future of the community.

Chef David Slay of Park Ave has designed a creative menu exclusive for this event. Chef Slay brings his well-earned reputation as one of the most creative and professional chefs in the world of food and entertaining to his work at Park Ave. restaurant which is consistently recognized for excellence and rated as one of the five best restaurants in Orange County in the annual Zagat survey. Chef Slay’s fresh, flavorful menu will complement the wines and bring the taste of Napa to Newport.