The Garces Family Foundation launch is the toque of the town

As if owning 15 restaurants in five cities from Philadelphia to Palm Springs, running a catering company, selling specialty food products and writing two books weren't enough, Iron Chef Jose Garces and his wife, Dr. Beatriz Garces, launched their very own non-profit, the Garces Family Foundation, at a gala held Oct. 10 at the Kimmel Center.

The organization's mission is to serve Philadelphia's immigrant community by funding healthcare and nutritional programming. At its first event, the Garces Family Foundation honored Dr. Steven Larson, co-founder and executive director of Puentes de Salud (Bridges of Health), which provides healthcare, education, and outreach to the Latino community in South Philadelphia.

Guests enjoyed a gala event with a VIP dinner for 100 of the Foundation's top donors at the Kimmel's Hamilton Rooftop Garden and heavy grazing in the Kimmel's lobby for an additional 300 guests. Chefs Marc Vetri, Kevin Sbraga, Michael Solomonov, Jonathan Adams, Joey Baldino, Pierre Calmels, Terence Feury, David Gilberg, Carla Goncalves, Jeff Michaud, and Konstantinos Pitsillides, along with Michael Schulson, Sylva Senat, Tim Spinner, Mike Stollenwerk, and Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka joined Chef Garces and Garces Group chefs Adam Zensinger, Dave Berg and pastry chef Jessica Mogardo to prepare the evenings eats.