Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) and culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi, founder of Roy’s Restaurant, hosted an exclusive event featuring the cuisine of six stellar chefs on Thursday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. at Roy’s Restaurant Pasadena, located at 641 E. Colorado Blvd.
As Celebrity Guest of Honor, Chef Yamaguchi, lead five other culinary stars during the event, a gourmet experience that will help support GFBNEC’s outreach and advocacy programs, which educate the public on the courage and sacrifice of Japanese American World War II veterans.
Yamaguchi was born in Tokyo. It was while visiting his grandparents on Maui that he had his first taste of seafood bought fresh at seaside piers. These fond memories would shape his future career. At 19, he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York as a master chef and moved to Los Angeles, where he served as executive chef at La Serene. After gaining invaluable experience in L.A., he decided it was time to head closer to his roots. He moved back to Hawaii where he opened the first Roy’s in 1988.
The other culinary stars to be featured in the event were Chef Josiah Citrin, a veteran of Los Angeles’ gourmet dining scene with more than 25 years’ experience, Chef Celestino Drago, who has played an integral role in the Los Angeles dining scene for more than two decades, Chef Akira Hirose, a longtime supporter of GFBNEC whose culinary talents were showcased at the 2017 Evening of Aloha, Chef Raphael Lunetta, a Southern California native recognized as one of the region’s most respected chefs, and Chef Dave Woodall, a longtime journeyman chef, having spent time working at Melisse in Santa Monica, and owner of the Red Herring.
“We’re proud to create innovative cuisine for this special event, which supports Go For Broke National Education Center,” Yamaguchi said as he welcomes his fellow chefs. “Despite facing widespread discrimination, the Nisei veterans fought valiantly to ensure that all Americans have a place in our society. It’s a legacy to be proud of, and to pass on to future generations.”
Yamaguchi sits on GFBNEC’s Board of Directors and donates his time and talent to help preserve the story of Japanese American veterans in World War II.
“In addition to being an incredibly successful entrepreneur and iconic TV personality, Chef Roy is a longtime community leader who works tirelessly to help us promote the values of our Nisei veterans – honor, sacrifice, patriotism, equality,” said GFBNEC Chairman Stephen Kagawa.
Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, GFBNEC’s president and chief executive officer, noted that Yamaguchi’s cuisine has been featured at the organization’s annual fundraising dinner, Evening of Aloha, for several years.
“We invite guests to enjoy this event, which will bring together an amazing array of culinary talent,” Maki said. “Their generous support will help us educate the public on Nisei veterans’ contributions to our democracy, which are relevant today as we debate public issues such as loyalty, due process, and equality. We thank each of our outstanding chefs for their support, and look forward to a one-of-a-kind event.”