Mama’s Kitchen Aims to Raise $220,000 at the 28th Annual Mama’s Day Event

By Austin Schoonmaker | April 29, 2019

Mama’s Kitchen will be celebrating its 28th annual Mama’s Day event on Friday, May 10 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Often referred to as San Diego’s original tasting event, Mama’s Day will be held the day before Mother’s Day and will feature more than 50 restaurants offering distinguished tastes to attendees.

All proceeds from the event will go towards raising funds for the Mama’s Kitchen mission: to deliver medically-tailored nutritional meals three times a day free of charge to those who suffer from hunger caused by HIV, cancer, or any serious illnesses. Last year, the event raised more than $170,000, providing 58,000 home-delivered meals to clients of Mama’s Kitchen. This year, they hope to raise $220,000 to provide 75,000+ meals to San Diego’s critically ill community.

The event will feature world class executive chefs from the region’s top eateries to bring attendees some of the most spectacular dishes. Guests will be able to enjoy incredible food, live music and entertainment, exciting lawn games poolside, including ping pong, corn hole, and more. An extensive auction will take place giving guests the chances to win fantastic prizes all going towards helping raising funds for the San Diego community.

We sat down with the Mama’s Day team for a few questions about this year’s event; here’s what they had to say.

“We’re so humbled to be part of a community that embraces our mission and gives so much. Mama’s Day continues to be a way we celebrate our wins alongside everyone who makes Mama’s Kitchen special. The funds raised by this event will continue to be used to touch more lives and provide nutritious meals to thousands of San Diegans in need.”

Alberto Cortés, Executive Director, Mama’s Kitchen

What are some of the new elements being brought to this year’s event?

“This year’s event will be a wonderful evening filled with food and fun. In addition to the forty plus participating restaurants like Seersucker and the Marine Room, we will have an extraordinary silent auction, a cocktail contest hosted by Sam the Cooking Guy, a social photo booth, and life sized party games for guests to play poolside. Guests can also get their make-up touched up at the MAC Cosmetics booth or win prizes from Sycuan Casino. And most importantly, a Mama’s Kitchen meal recipient will share her courageous story.”

Are there new restaurants participating?

“San Diego is a foodie community with an immense amount of talent and generosity. We have over 15 brand new culinary partners joining us for the first time this year. Guests can try offerings from first time Mama’s Day partners like NOBU, Gravity Heights, The Porchetta Shack, Fort Oak, Small Town, and Drift.”

How has the event changed over the years?

“Mama’s Day, like Mama’s Kitchen itself, was started by a small group of dedicated volunteers. Those volunteers were able to organize 12 local chefs to take part in the first event in 1991. Since then, the event has grown into our largest annual fundraiser with over 500 guests. And although the event has grown, our goal is the same. Mama’s Day raises critical funds that provide the healing power of nutrition to our neighbors working toward better health.”

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Mama’s Kitchen was founded in 1990, and since then, the foundation has provided a reliable home meal delivery service for clients who are in dire need of nutritious, life-sustaining food. During its existence, Mama’s Kitchen has served over eight million meals, never turning away a client who has qualified for their services.

Tickets can be purchased online at mamaskitchen.org for $100, or $200 for a VIP experience.