The 20th annual Saint Martin’s Gala on Nov. 1 will feature host and celebrity chef Rick Bayless.
The black-tie event will have a five-course gourmet dinner, a silent and live auction, and on-stage cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs.
Previous headlining chefs have included Pati Jinich, Anne Burrell, Jacques Pépin, Carla Hall and Roy Yamaguchi.
Over the past two decades, the gala has raised more than $21 million in support of student scholarships, transforming the lives of hundreds of Saints by making their educational dreams a reality.
A university press release stated the gala brings together alumni, benefactors and friends for a night of generosity, great food and celebration, all in support of Saint Martin’s students.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Saint Martin’s Gala with Rick Bayless as our celebrity chef,” said Saint Martin’s University President Bill Brownsberger, in a statement.
“For two decades, this event has been about more than just great food — it’s about creating opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to a Catholic Benedictine education. The generosity of our community has changed countless lives, and we look forward to another incredible evening dedicated to supporting our students’ futures,” Brownsberger added.
The gala will be held at the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus. To learn more about the Saint Martin’s Gala or to purchase tickets, visit www.stmartin.edu/gala or contact the Saint Martin’s University Office of Institutional Advancement at 360-438-4366 or gala@stmartin.edu.
Bayless is an award-winning restaurateur, cookbook author, television personality and philanthropist, who was the winner of the inaugural season of "Top Chef Masters."
"Mexico—One Plate at a Time," Bayless’s television series, ran for 12 seasons and earned several Daytime Emmy nominations for Best Culinary Host.
Bayless has Chicago-based restaurants, with the James Beard Award-winning Frontera Grill and Michelin-starred Topolobampo being the most prominent.
“A passionate advocate for sustainability and small farmers, Bayless established the Frontera Farmer Foundation in 2003, which has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to support Midwestern farms. His contributions to the culinary world have earned him seven James Beard Awards, as well as Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle, the nation’s highest honor for a foreign national,” the press release states.
The gala is the university’s premier fundraising event for student scholarships, raising a record-breaking $3.5 million for student scholarships in 2024.
More than 39% of the fall 2024 students at Saint Martin’s are the first in their families to attend tertiary education. A total of 36% of the students receive Pell Grants, an indicator that they come from low-income households.
“Every dollar raised helps change a student’s future, giving them the opportunity to experience the full value of a Saint Martin’s education,” said Nate Peters, vice president of marketing and communications and interim vice president of institutional advancement.
Peters added that many students are the first in their families to go to college, and the event’s assistance makes sure they’re able to follow their dream.
“We’re thankful to our alumni, benefactors and friends who’ve made the Gala such a meaningful tradition over the past 20 years,” Peters said.
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