San Diego, CA, October 5, 2010 — Drama, exotic spices and the tension of competition will electrify the air above the Saffron restaurants on India Street from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 18, when two of San Diego’s hottest chefs square off against Thai cuisine expert Su-Mei Yu in a sizzling culinary Throwdown to create the most sensational Pad Thai noodles in San Diego.  The event inaugurates five days and nights of celebrations of the beloved restaurants’ 25th Anniversary.  Proceeds from the $3 per person ticket sales as well as 10% of Saffron’s proceeds that evening will support this year’s Fruit of the Soul beneficiaries The Monarch School, SEZIO, Olivewood Gardens and A Reason To Survive.

The media is invited to participate in the piquant playoff when chef, restaurateur and internationally recognized cookbook author Su-Mei Yu pits her noodle knowledge against the creative talents of Chef Ricardo Heredia of the ever-innovative Alchemy in South Park, and Chef Craig Jimenez of the new, much talked-about Craft & Commerce in Little Italy.  Heredia began cooking at the age of 9, and by 23 was honing his skills in noted restaurants in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio.  He has worked with an international roster of chefs from countries as far-flung as Italy, France and significantly – Thailand.  Jimenez, a graduate of San Diego’s Art Institute culinary programs, prides himself on serving inventive dishes he calls “straightforward, hand-crafted American food.”  Between them, the two chefs sound capable of putting spins on Pad Thai powerful enough make the Celebrity Judges’ heads spin.  The panel will include Ruben Galvan of San Diego 6 The CW, Keli Dailey of The San Diego Union-Tribune and Caron Golden of San Diego Magazine.  As Su-Mei Yu, Heredia and Jimenez acknowledge, creating a memorably one-of-a-kind Pad Thai will take talent and dedication.

Specialty Produce will underwrite the Pad Thai Throwdown by providing all ingredients.  To add to the fun, each contestant will use one secret ingredient.  A large audience of Saffron regulars is expected to assemble at 6 p.m. to witness, sample and vote for the potentially revolutionary Pad Thai dishes.  At 7, the judges will evaluate each dish, and at 7:30, the winners will be announced in three categories: Judges’ Favorite, Audience Favorite and All-Around Winner.  A photo finish is possible!

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About Saffron

Owner Su-Mei Yu opened one of San Diego’s first authentic Thai restaurants, Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken, on India Street in Mission Hills 25 years ago.  Su-Mei Yu later expanded the Saffron brand with Saffron Noodles & Sate, a comfortable eatery with indoor and outdoor seating.  Located next to each other, both restaurants have become San Diego favorites featuring traditional Thai dishes made from recipes Su-Mei learned as a child in Thailand.  Saffron’s menus offer guests delicious and affordable fare prepared with Su-Mei Yu’s philosophy of “food for the mind, body and soul”.  Su-Mei Yu is an accomplished chef and cooking instructor both locally and nationally and has authored several Thai cookbooks, including Asian Grilling, Cracking the Coconut and the recently-released The Elements of Life: A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living.  She has been featured on numerous television programs including Martha Stewart, Good Morning America and The Today Show as well as in notable publications such as Food & Wine Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and The New York Times.  More information about Saffron and Su-Mei Yu can be found at the Saffron website.

Saffron Noodles & Sate

3737 India Street

San Diego, CA 92103

619-574-7737

Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken

3731 India Street,

San Diego, CA 92103

619-574-0177

Trust us… we eat lunch at Saffron daily, and have seen all three chefs in action so it’ll be interesting!!!

Now in our fifth year, Fruit of the Soul has grown from a small party to a full-blown transformation of our (extra)ordinary produce warehouse to an event venue. On October 16th, mingle with over 30 of our city’s best restaurants, and local artists and musicians to support the preservation of art, music and nutritional education in San Diego. To date, Fruit of the Soul has raised more than $60,000 for local nonprofits!

JOIN US as we plant the seeds for the children’s garden of the future at a feast for the senses. The 5th Annual Fruit of the Soul is a fusion of Arts, Rhythm and Harvest where you can “Give Back & Dance it Out.”

Tickets are $115 (VIP), $65 (GA) and $30 (late entry) and are available online (here).

Proceeds for this year’s event go to the Monarch School, A Reason To Survive (ARTS), Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center and Sezio. View the Fruit of the Soul about page for more information on these amazing organizations.

The evening will include:
Fresh produce from Specialty Produce and fine food from Kitchen 1540, Alchemy, Kensington Grill, Searsucker, Cowboy Star, JSix, Jake’s Del Mar, MIHO Gastrotruck, Waters Fine Catering and many more will be available from 6:30 p.m. until it’s all gone. There will be a cocktail bar sponsored by the Tractor Room, plus more cocktails, beer and wine!

There will also be a silent auction, three art trucks, including aspiring young artists from ARTS, prints, paintings & live art curated by Sezio, and performances by local musicians, including Bushwalla, Mark Boyce (G Love and Special Sauce), Miss Erika Davies and The Monarch School Steel Drum Band complete with stage and lighting from Viejas!

View the entire lineup contributors page and download the sponsor menu & donor page. Thank you and we hope to see you October 16th!