LOS ANGELES -- Four of Los Angeles’ finest Filipino-American chefs, culinary artists, and restaurateurs topbill a special dinner event presented by Ayala Foundation USA for the benefit of underprivileged children in the Philippines.

Dubbed “Dining with the Chefs,” the benefit dinner on November 7 will feature the individual repertoires of Cecilia de Castro, Andre Guerrero, Carlito Jocson, and Gary Menes. Leilani and Christina Raquel will host the event at their private residence in the former Mary Pickford estate, a historical landmark in Los Angeles, California. Guests will also delight in the original designs of Negros Occidental-born Tomiko, now one of L.A.’s most sought-after floral artists.

This $300-per-plate dinner event is the second in Ayala Foundation USA’s series designed to showcase the culinary expertise of US-based chefs with Filipino roots and to engage the support of the Filipino American community for worthy causes back in the motherland. Last year’s benefit dinner hosted by Diosdado and Maria Banatao, featured five of the Bay Area’s brightest culinary stars and raised more than $50,000 for development projects in the Philippines.

The “Dining with the Chefs” culinary team is comprised of Filipino Americans whose works are widely acclaimed in the industry. De Castro is founder of the Academy of Culinary Education and culinary producer of the Emmy Award-winning Wolfgang Puck Show and formerly of Spago. Guerrero is chef/partner at Marché in L.A., BoHo in Hollywood, The Oinkster in Sherman Oaks, and Butter Tart in Glassell Park.

He was named Top Chef by Los Angeles Times Magazine. Jocson is corporate executive chef and partner/owner of The Yard House, a chain of upscale-casual restaurants in Southern California and across the United States. Menes is executive chef/partner at Marché and formerly of French Laundry, Patina and Palate Food + Wine. The four chefs readily agreed to create what promises to be an unforgettable gourmet tasting menu as a unique way of giving back.

“Ayala Foundation USA is thrilled at the participation of these internationally renowned Filipino chefs at our Los Angeles fund-raiser. It highlights the capacity of the Filipino to be globally competitive as well as their generosity in supporting the cause of underprivileged children and youth in the homeland,” says foundation president Victoria Garchitorena.

As with the previous year’s event, “Dining with the Chefs” is expected to draw the participation of prominent members of the Filipino American community, including trustees of Ayala Foundation USA as well as its volunteers and supporters across the United States.