Past Galas
- 1984: Atlantic City Magazine establishes annual Restaurant Gala to raise scholarship funds for students at the Academy of Culinary Arts.
- 1985: Rolling Chair/Salute to Atlantic City
Invitations include a boxed strand of pearls with a black bow-tie.
- 1986: A Taste of the World
Gala patrons sample dishes from around the world at Trump Plaza.
- 1987: Diving Horse/Steel Pier
The Gala celebrates Atlantic City's history.
- 1988: Black Tie Beach Party
The Gala moves to Showboat Hotel Casino.
- 1989: A Carousel Fantasy
This year's Gala at TropWorld Casino is complete with a replica carousel.
- 1990: Mardi Gras
The Gala gets in the spirit of Mardi Gras with masks, feathers and beads.
- 1991: Jungle
- 1992: April in Paris
- 1993: 10th Anniversary Celebration
Bally's Park Place again plays host to the Gala during this anniversary year.
- 1994: Camelot - Magic by the Bay
- 1995: A Trip to Galactica
The Trump Taj Mahal is the setting for this gastronomical journey.
- 1996: Salute to Miss America/The Atlantic City Experience
The authentic Miss America crown and scepter are on display as the Gala pays tribute to the world's most famous beauty pageant.
- 1997: Salute to Tinseltown
The Gala celebrates the magic of Hollywood.
- 1998: Arabian Nights
- 1999: All That Jazz
Held at the Trump Taj Mahal
- 2000: Dancin' in the Streets
The Gala moves to the new Atlantic City Convention Center.
- 2001: Paint the Town Red
A trip for two to France is raffled off, adding a new component to the Gala. Georges Perrier of Philadelphia's Le Bec Fin is honorary chair.
- 2002: Spice up the Night.for education
Bill McCarrick, '84 ACA and former executive pastry chef at Harrods of London, and Chef Jim Coleman are honorary chairs.
- 2003: 20th Anniversary Celebration - Celebrate, Educate, Commemorate
The Gala adds a 50/50 raffle.
Chefs Susanna Foo, Terence Feury '88 ACA and Patrick Feury '89 ACA are honorary chairs.
- 2004: Enchanted Garden
The Gala reaches a milestone--$1 million raised for student scholarships.
- 2005: The Art of Food
Chef Michael Schlow, '87 ACA, owner of several Boston-area restaurants, is honorary chairman.
- 2006: Feast Your Eyes
The Gala committee awards an honorary Gold Medal from the Academy to long-time Gala sponsor Vernon Hill, founder of Commerce Bank.
- 2007: Live and Let's Dine
Pastry Chef Eugene Ess, Trump Taj Majal, coordinates the construction of an elaborate 6-foot-tall sugar sculpture during the dessert reception.
- 2008: Reflections: The Gala Turns 25
The Gala celebrates its 25th anniversary and approaches $2 million scholarships raised for Academy students.
- 2009: A Taste of Paradise
With its vacation cruise theme, the Restaurant Gala traveled to Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino and honored Cape Bank for its long term commitment to supporting the college and the Restaurant Gala.
- 2010: Mo'Rockin Night: An Oasis of Culinary Delight
Imagine a beautiful oasis somewhere in Morocco with fabulous food, drinks, music...and belly dancers! Guests were rockin' all night and were joined by Honorees Joe Domenico Sr. VP & GM of Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino and Aaron McCargo, Jr. former ACA student and host of Food Network's Big Daddy's House.
- 2011: Putting on the Glitz: Eat, Drink and Be Dazzled
The 28th Annual Restaurant Gala featured a Roaring Twenties theme. Chef Marvin Woods, ACA'85 was honored for his work as an author, TV Host and Network Chef, and his work with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move cooking series. Former Atlantic Cape Board Trustee Lynn Baumgardner, President of Guthrie Glass & Mirror Corporation, was the Gala's Honoree. Flappers and gangsters spiced up the night for nearly 1,000 participants!
- 2012: Dine Like Royalty
"Dine Like Royalty" leveraged the wedding of British Royals' William and Kate to bring a sumptuous feast to Southern New Jersey. Chef Deborah Pelligrino, ACA'92, Executive Pastry Chef for Harrah's Resort and Showboat Atlantic City, was the party's honoree. Well known for her winning creations on the Food Network Challenge, Chef Pelligrino and her chef friends provided a dessert extravaganza fit for nobility!
