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“EVENING OF ALOHA” DINNER GALA FEATURES ROY YAMAGUCHI, ONE OF HAWAII'S ORIGINAL FUSION CHEFS

Roy’s Founder Makes Rare Southern California Guest Chef Appearance November 8

Roy Yamaguchi

Torrance, CA (September 29, 2003) -- The Go For Broke Educational Foundation is excited to announce its second annual gala dinner, “Evening of Aloha,” to be held Saturday, November 8 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. In addition to Roy Yamaguchi, chef Hiroshi Fukui of Honolulu’s L’Uraku will also come to Southern California especially for this event. Together they will prepare a sumptuous meal for an anticipated 650 guests with a special Euro-Asian influenced menu. 1997 Miss Universe Brook Mahealani Lee will serve as mistress of ceremonies and to entertain guests, Jake Shimabukuro, the phenomenal ukulele player will perform.

As one of the most recognizable names in Hawaiian regional cuisine, Roy Yamaguchi has taken the best of French and Japanese cooking, along with the freshest seafood, meats and vegetables, making a name for him self in the world of culinary arts. Recognized as the originator of such fusion cooking styles, Yamaguchi’s delectable cuisine is a reflection of his background and life experiences.

Born in Japan and raised in Maui, Yamaguchi’s cultural roots are signified in his cooking today. A graduate of the New York Culinary Institute of America and apprentice to Master Chef Jean Bertranou of L’Ermitage (West Hollywood, Calif.), Yamaguchi was executive chef at Los Angeles’ La Serene. His use of fusion techniques became noticed in 1984 when he opened his own Hollywood, Calif. restaurant, 385 North, where the California Regional Writers Association elected him “California Chef of the Year.”

Returning to Hawaii in 1988, he opened Roy’s restaurant in Honolulu’s upscale Hawaii Kai district. He became regionally known for his new flavor perfected from across the Pacific and in 1992 opened Roy’s Kahana Bar and Grill on Maui.

Since accepting his award as “Best Chef: Pacific-Northwest,” by the James Beard Foundation in 1993, Yamaguchi opened restaurants in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Newport Beach, Calif., Seattle, Phoenix, Orlando, Denver and New York. He is also author of “Roy’s Feasts from Hawaii” cookbook.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Roy Yamaguchi’s exquisite cooking at Evening of Aloha, tickets are $125 per person. WWII veterans and spouses are $100 per person. All proceeds will go to the support the Go For Broke Educational Foundation’s programs. For more information contact the Educational Foundation at 310-328-0907 or email eveningofaloha@goforbroke.org.

For out of town guests, a special rate of $99 per room, based on availability, has been arranged at the Hyatt Regency Hotel located at 200 S. Pine Avenue in Long Beach. Please contact the hotel directly at 800-633-7313, and mention Evening of Aloha/Go For Broke Educational Foundation for this special rate.

The Go For Broke Educational Foundation institutes educational programs focused on the heroism and history of the Japanese American soldiers of World War II, as well as the forced evacuation and incarceration of Japanese American and civil liberties issues raised by those events. Currently the Educational Foundation’s programs include An American Story Teacher Training Program, Hanashi Oral History Program, www.GoForBroke.org Web site, and select media projects.

In 1989 Japanese American World War II veterans established the 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation to build the Go For Broke Monument today an eternal tribute to the heroics of the segregated Japanese American units: 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, MIS (Military Intelligence Service) and the many other men and women who served overseas during World War II. The Monument is located in downtown Los Angeles at Temple and Alameda Streets.

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