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

Gala history

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 2024 photo gallery

Gala success

Saint Martin’s University celebrates 20th anniversary of Gala with Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless

LACEY, Wash. – The Saint Martin’s University Gala will celebrate its 20th anniversary with host Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless this year on Saturday, November 1. Over the past two decades, the Gala has raised more than $21 million in support of student scholarships, transforming the lives of hundreds of Saints by making their educational dreams a reality. Rooted in the Catholic Benedictine value of hospitality, the Gala brings together alumni, benefactors and friends for a night of generosity, great food and celebration—all in support of Saint Martin’s students.

Record-breaking $3.5 million raised for student scholarships at the Saint Martin’s University Gala with Chef Pati Jinich

LACEY, Wash. — A record-breaking $3.5 million was raised for scholarships at the annual Saint Martin’s University Gala on November 2, 2024. The black-tie fundraising event, which supports scholarships for Saint Martin’s students, featured a spectacular evening of fine dining, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a live auction and heartfelt stories from the Saint Martin’s community.

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.