People at rows of circular tables under a lit up ceiling at Gala

Gala history

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The Saint Martin's Gala is the University's major fundraising event for student scholarships. Over the years, the black tie affair has grown to be the premier culinary event in the South Sound, featuring a live auction, a five-course gourmet dinner and cooking demonstrations by such renowned chefs as Pati Jinich, Tom Douglas, Dario Cecchini, Roy Breiman, Anne Burrell, Jacques Pépin, Carla Hall and Roy Yamaguchi. All proceeds from the Saint Martin's Gala directly support student scholarships.
 

Pati Jinich onstage at Gala behind a table with flowers

Past Galas

  • 2024 - Chef: Pati Jinich, Alumni speaker: Roger Dover '23, $3.5 million raised
  • 2023 - Chefs: Tom Douglas, Dario Cecchini and Roy Breiman, Alumni speaker: Marissa Grab ’22, over $2 million raised
  • 2022 - Chef: Anne Burrell, Alumni speaker: Tracey Porter '20, over $3 million raised
  • 2021 - Chefs: Jacques and Claudine Pépin, Student speaker: Katherine Jamerson ’23, $2.7 million raised
  • 2019 - Chef: Carla Hall, Alumni speaker: Ahmadou Seck ’11, $1.4 million raised
  • 2018 - Chef: Roy Yamaguchi, Alumni speaker: Chantal Arevalo ’17, $1.3 million raised
  • 2017 - Chef: Ming Tsai, Alumni speaker: Sancha Elevado ’12, $1.2 million raised
  • 2016 - Chefs: Andrew Zimmern & Ligia Karazawa, Alumni speakers: Crystal Maria ’13 and Dillon Linhart ’14, $1.2 million raised
  • 2015 - Chef: The CHEW,  Student speaker: Deveney De La Cruz ’15, $1.6 million raised
  • 2014 - Chef: Lidia Bastianich, Student speaker: Ben Lopez ’15, $891,000 raised
  • 2013 - Chef: Michael Symon, Student speaker: Dillon Linhart ’14, $960,000 raised
  • 2012 - Chef: Guy Fieri, Student speaker: Crystal Maria ’13, $760,000 raised
  • 2011 - Chef: Mario Batali, Student speaker: Jonathon Hew Len ’12, $608,000 raised

Interested in becoming a Gala sponsor?

We are grateful to the many generous donors and sponsors who help Saint Martin's Gala become the South Sound's fundraising and culinary event of the year!

If you are interested in sponsoring this year's Saint Martin's gala, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@stmartin.edu.

Want to see last year's Gala photos?

Gala success

Saint Martin’s University celebrates 20 years of the Gala, raising $2 million for student scholarships with Chef Rick Bayless

LACEY, Wash. — Saint Martin’s University celebrated the 20th anniversary of its signature black-tie Gala on Saturday, November 1, 2025, raising $2 million for student scholarships. Hosted by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, the milestone event honored two decades of generosity and community support that have made a Saint Martin’s education accessible to all students.

20th Anniversary Saint Martin’s Gala welcomes celebrity Chef Rick Bayless

LACEY, Wash. — This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the annual Saint Martin’s University Gala. This festive fundraiser traditionally showcases an internationally-renowned celebrity chef and an auction of items and experiences while raising money for student scholarships. To date, the Gala has raised more than $21 million.

Questions about Gala?

Office of Institutional Advancement

The mission of the Office of Institutional Advancement is to promote Saint Martin’s University’s cause among its alumni, parents and friends; raise funds in support of Saint Martin’s University’s Benedictine educational mission and its priorities; and build strong relationships between Saint Martin’s and its various constituencies.