Reflections: The Gala Turns 25

Honorees

25th Anniversary Champion

• James L. Cooper, Esq.
  Cooper, of Margate, has supported the Gala since its inception. Former chair of the ACCC Foundation, Cooper naturally played an integral role in the Gala's long-term success. Over the years, he chaired the Restaurant Gala Steering Committee and helped grow the fundraiser from a small affair with a few hundred attendees to its current capacity of more than 1,000 people.

25th Anniversary Founders

• Vince DeFinis
  Definis, who passed away in November at age 91, was a friend to the Academy of Culinary Arts for many years, and a scholarship is awarded annually in his name. He was an internationally know hotelier, serving numerous presidents and dignitaries. He was committed to the restaurant industry and its future, and served as restaurant coordinator for the Gala committee.
• Frances Freedman, Esq.
  Freedman, founder and publisher of the former Atlantic City Magazine, conceived the idea of a restaurant gala as a way to showcase Atlantic City's burgeoning dining industry and community. She gathered movers and shakers in the casino and food and beverage industries to lend their support, and in 1984 the event took off. Freedman sold her magazine to The Press of Atlantic City in 1991.
• Clare Sabatini
  Sabatini is a longtime resident of Ventnor and former owner of Sabatini's Restaurant. Freedman recruited Sabatini's to participate in the inaugural Gala. In addition to the restaurant's participation, Sabatini assisted with event logistics and secured sponsorships and donations over the years.
• John Varalli
  Varalli began working at Scannicchio's in Atlantic City as a waiter and had worked his way up to manager when the restaurant participated in the first Restaurant Gala. He bought the restaurant 20 years ago and now has a location in Philadelphia with his sons. In the early years of the Gala, Varalli recruited restaurants to participate, and he continues to be active on the committee.

For more information contact Sean Fischer at 609-343-5674, or sfischer@atlantic.edu.