The Celebrity Chef Classic provides a truly unique golf experience: enjoy the golf course, home to 7 PGA Senior Tour events, while playing with some of the world's most inventive chefs. Then savor their unique creations both at lunch and during an incredible tasting menu dinner that evening. While at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, guests will enjoy upgraded accommodations, special amenities, plus unlimited golf the day before and after the special tournament day. Tournament participants will be further rewarded by knowing that proceeds from this event will go to two incredibly worthwhile local charities.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is happy to present its Celebrity Chef Classic, November 13 - 15, which will benefit Share Our Strength - a national organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. This year, Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger), Todd Gray (Equinox), Alan Wong (The Pineapple Room), Budi Kazali (Ballard Inn & Restaurant) and Ojai's own Executive Chef Jamie West will play in the 18-hole golf tournament with guests on the naturally sculpted George C. Thomas-designed Ojai Valley Inn & Spa golf course.

The weekend's events will include an abundance of food, wine and golf among the award-winning resort's rolling hills, wild lavender fields and pink sunsets. The welcome cocktail party on Friday will highlight tasting menus presented by each chef. Saturday morning, guests will be invited to play Ojai's greens, where seven PGA Senior Tour events have occurred, alongside the chefs. A celebratory gala dinner will complete the Celebrity Chef Classic.

The Celebrity Chef Classic is $1,450 per person, excluding taxes (double occupancy) or $1,850 per person, excluding taxes (single occupancy) and includes two nights in deluxe accommodations, unlimited golf, Friday's welcome reception, gala dinner, breakfast, lunch and additional amenities. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, located in Ojai, California just 35 miles from Santa Barbara and 73 miles from Los Angeles. www.ojairesort.com

When asked about his participation in the Celebrity Chef Classic, Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger & Host of "Simply Ming said, "It's not a coincidence that people who love golf also love food and wine, because they tend to enjoy travel, adventure and great fun. I'm really excited to be combining golf and cuisine at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, experiencing the George C. Thomas-designed courses and the fantastic bounty of food and wine."

About the chefs:
Todd Gray is the executive chef and co-owner of Equinox, winner of the 2008 Restaurant Association Award for Best Fine Dining, in Washington, D.C. Todd Gray has also earned five nominations from the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic as well as Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and the Award of Excellence from the Distinguished Restaurants of North America for ten consecutive years. In January 2009, the Obama's celebrated Michelle's birthday at Equinox.

Ming Tsai is the owner and executive chef of Blue Ginger, rated the "2nd Most Popular Boston Restaurant" by the Zagat Restaurant Guide since 2002. Blue Ginger was honored with the Ivy Award from Restaurants & Institutions in 2007. Chef Tsai is currently the host and executive producer of the television cooking show, Simply Ming.

Alan Wong is not only a recognized chef, but also the owner of The Pineapple Room and Alan Wong's Restaurant in Oahu, Hawaii. In 2000, Chef Wong created Alan Wong's Hawaii in Tokyo Disneyland. Wong's most recent opening is the Hualalai Grille by Alan Wong at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort.

Budi Kazali is the chef and owner of the acclaimed Ballard Inn and Restaurant, rated in Zagat as having the best food in Santa Barbara County in 2009. Chef Kazali was recently named Ultimate Chef by Central Coast Magazine, and has been featured in Wine Spectator, Travel and Leisure, and Food and Wine.

Jamie West is Executive Chef of Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Prior to joining our team, Jamie was Executive Chef at the Mayflower Inn and San Ysidro Ranch. His work has been featured in numerous publications including Bon Appétit, Art Culinaire and Food & Home Magazine. Jamie is a member of the Culinary Institute of America.

Contact:
Joy Limanon
Parasol West
(310) 433-8747
jlimanon@parasolmarketing.com