Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University is announcing updates to the 2021 Saint Martin’s Gala. The Saint Martin’s Gala, the University’s major fundraising event for student scholarships, is still scheduled to be held in-person in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on Saint Martin’s main campus in Lacey on Saturday, November 6. The signature black-tie affair will include an exquisite five-course menu, exclusively crafted by James Beard Award-winning chef Jacques Pépin, with live music and auction.
In response to the current COVID-19 climate, the following updates to the event program and guidelines are as follows:
- Gala guest chefs will be participating via livestream. Jacques Pépin and his daughter Claudine will join the Gala live from his kitchen via livestream for this event. Watch Jacques’ personal message here.
- Required vaccination reporting. Following current Thurston County guidelines and university requirements, all Gala guests, staff, vendors and volunteers must report prior to the event whether they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If partially vaccinated or not vaccinated, individuals can still attend but must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours before the day of the event. Rapid tests will not be provided night of the event. Vaccination status reports should be submitted, using this link, by Monday, November 1. Proof of negative COVID-19 tests for partially vaccinated or non-vaccinated attendees must be submitted 48 hours prior to the day of Gala.
- Required masking during event. Also following current Thurston County guidelines and university requirements, all Gala guests, staff, vendors and volunteers must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, when not eating or drinking.
- Online auction. This year, in lieu of an in-person silent auction, there will be an online auction, starting Monday, November 1 at 12 p.m. and closing on Saturday, November 6 at 12 p.m. The online auction will be open to both Gala attendees and non-Gala attendees to allow as many people to participate and support student scholarships. More information to come on the Gala website.
- Updated reception and dinner start times. Reception starts at 5 p.m. with the dinner and live event beginning at 6 p.m. This 6 p.m. start time for the dinner and live program is an hour earlier than previous Galas.
The Saint Martin’s Gala is currently sold-out. To be placed on the waitlist, submit a vaccination status report, or inquire details about the above event changes, please contact special.events@stmartin.edu or visit www.stmartin.edu/gala.
“After not being able to gather for almost two years, we are excited to welcome our friends and supporters back to campus for this year’s Gala. We are taking the necessary precautions to make sure we can celebrate together safely,” shares Saint Martin’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cecelia Loveless. “In these uncertain times, I want to say thank you for the generosity of our donors throughout the years who have assisted thousands of our students with scholarship support. This fall we welcomed our largest first-year class in Saint Martin’s history and our students need our support more than ever.”
The last Saint Martin’s Gala, held in 2019, raised $1.4 million for scholarships. Over the years, the black-tie affair has grown to be the premier culinary event in the South Sound region, featuring a live auction, a five-course gourmet dinner and on-stage cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Previous featured chefs have included Carla Hall, Roy Yamaguchi, Ming Tsai, Andrew Zimmern, Lidia Bastianich and Michael Symon.
