KidWorks' Festival of Chefs returns to Newport Beach Country Club, July 23
by: Lisa Gels
Published: July 14, 2026
NEWPORT BEACH...Talented chefs from restaurants across Orange County, along with other popular food service providers, and wine and libation sponsors, are set to participate in the 2026 edition of the Annual Festival of Chefs to be held on the spacious lawns of the Newport Beach County Club.
This year, the event will be held on Thursday evening, July 23 from 5 to 10PM.
Individual tickets are available for purchase at $500 each. Visit https://4agc.com/event/festival-of-chefs-2026
The much-anticipated Festival benefits KidWorks, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit that for more than three decades has been dedicated to providing academic, personal development, and leadership programs for children and teens in overlooked neighborhoods in central Santa Ana.
Thanks to generous supporters, over $4 million has been raised for KidWorks students and programs since the Festival fundraisers began in 2021.
Serving on the event committee this year are KidWorks Board members Cory Alder, Bobby Gorbey, Pat Merrell, and Tim Strader, Jr. Also on the event committee are Lisa Alder; Annie Gorby; Trish and Guy Johnson, who is a KidWorks Advisory Council member; Tracy and Kevin Murphy, who is a KidWorks Advisory Council member; plus DeDe Soto; Camille Strader; Mackenzie and Cameron Stuart; David and Kyle Team, who chairs the KidWorks Advisory Council and KidWorks Women, a women’s auxiliary group; and Holly Tarbell.
This year’s sponsors promises to be a Who’s Whof Orange County’s leading people and businesses. Herse’s a list as of June 30. The PRESENTING SPONSORS are Heidi and Ruben Mendoza, who is a KidWorks Advisory Council member. PLATINUM SPONSORS are Stacey and Greg Brown, The Frome Family Foundation, Trish and Guy Johnson, OneRoot Foundation, and Kyle and David Team/Waypoint Property Group.
GOLD SPONSORS are Baker Tilly, Bank of America, Brian R. Burke Family and Burke Real Estate Group, Crevier Family Fund, Harris and Taylor Families, Melissa and John Marshall, Newport Beach Country Club, Pattie and Paul Gallagher, Pam and Alex Munro, Oltmans Construction Co., Provenio Capital, PTS Marketing Group, Sares-Regis Group, Schriber Family Fund, Camille and Tim Strader Jr., StrikeWorks, The Tarbell Family, U.S. Bank, and Vivante.
SILVER SPONSORS are Allen and Friedmann Families, Michele Babcock and Jeannie Lawrence, Gordon Henry, Harriet and Mark Lehman, and Whittier Trust
Scott Pollard/The Winslow Maxwell Charitable Trust. PEARL SPONSORS are
Anita Seiveley, Kim and Bruce Stuart, and Smith and Severson Builders.
“Join us for a savory culinary experience showcasing some of Orange County’s finest chefs and sample an unforgettable tasting of their exceptional creations, complemented by a fabulous selection of wines and spirits that’s all for a great cause,” said KidWorks CEO and Executive Director David Benavides.
The event will also include a special presentation by KidWorks, followed by dancing to the fabulous Tijuana Dogs band.
To learn more about 2026 sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Gels at
lisa.gels@kidworksoc.org or (714) 834-9400 x126. For more about the event, visit https://kidworksoc.org/chefs.
For students who enter a four-year college or university, 100 percent graduate on average within four years.
To learn more about KidWorks, please visit www.kidworksoc.org.