Liberty Station event to aid domestic violence support services

San Diego’s top chefs will come together in healthy competition to raise money for domestic violence awareness programs and support services during the seventh annual Center for Community Solutions (CCS) “Chef Showdown” on Thursday, Oct. 6 at NTC Promenade’s Legacy Plaza. To mark National Domestic Violence Prevention Month in October, San Diego’s culinary masters will be coming together for an evening of food, drink, entertainment and an Iron Chef-style competition. “Chef Showdown unites chefs, restaurants and community supporters around a common cause: to end relationship and sexual violence,” said Wendy Urushima-Conn, associate director of development for CCS. “As a major provider of life-changing programs and services, many of which have been threatened by continuous federal and state budget cuts, we need increased local support to continue assisting more than 30,000 women, men and children each year who are affected by sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse.” The CCS is a nonprofit agency that provides a range of community programs to prevent domestic violence and support victims of violence and sexual assault.  The organization, founded in 1969, provides emergency shelters, legal counseling, a rape crisis center and a countywide 24-hour bilingual crisis helpline.  It also offers services for men and same-sex couples.  The Chef Showdown is one of the organization’s major fundraisers of the year, raising about $100,000 for outreach and advocacy programs, said Urushima-Conn. According to statistics provided by CCS, more than 20,000 domestic violence calls were made last year to San Diego law enforcement and, on average, about one-third of domestic violence calls are made by children.  One in three women and one in 12 men have been a victim of sexual assault. The competition, hosted by Sam Zien, also known as “Sam the Cooking Guy” and Chef Brian Malarkey, will feature chefs from restaurants such as Shelter Island’s Bali Hai, Downtown’s El Vitral, Harney Sushi, The Shores at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, and Kitchen 1540 at L’Auberge Del Mar. Expert judges include Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room, Ingrid Croce of Croce’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar and Joe Busalacchi of the Busalacchi family of restaurants.  The event is co-chaired by Isabel Cruz of Isabel’s Cantina in Pacific Beach. “Great food, great chefs, great drinks — and all for the benefit of San Diego families in need,” said Michelle Lerach of Cups bakery in La Jolla, who will be returning this year as a judge in the chef competition.  “CCS’ Chef Showdown is one of the best and most well-attended foodie events in San Diego, not only because the restaurant vendor-participants represent a ‘who’s who’ of the best San Diego has to offer, but also because it is being held for such an important and worthwhile cause — eliminating family violence.” The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $125. For more information or to purchase tickets call (858) 272-5777 or visit www.ccssd.org. Sponsorship opportunities also are available.