2015 Chaine des Rotisseurs Gala a huge success
Eight years ago, Tom Maeser, President of the HGTC Foundation and Mr. Tony Hirsh,
Foundation Board Vice Chairman and head of the local chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
(the world's oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248 with
60 local members) decided to bring the two groups together to raise money for scholarships
and program development for the Culinary Arts program.
They created a seven course/wine paired black tie gala dinner event to be held at the College and prepared by our HGTC Culinary Arts chefs with student assistance. A live and silent auction were included and local businesses stepped up to donate food, wine, themed decorations, service staff, and auction items. Foundation board members pitched in to help set up, and the event is now held annually at the Grand Strand HGTC Conference center. This year’s themed event "A Tour of Italy" was held on March 22 with 186 attending; and with ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction proceeds more than $100,000 was raised that evening – and amazingly, expenses were held to 20%. In the eight years this event has taken place, over $514,000 has been raised for the Culinary program and is considered one of the best black tie fundraising events held on the Grand Strand.
Hats off to our Foundation board and staff; the local Chaîne des Rôtisseurs chapter; the local business community; and the HGTC International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach’s faculty, staff, and students.