Saint Martin’s University has announced that the 2026 Saint Martin’s Gala will feature James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Renee Erickson as its celebrity chef host. The Saint Martin’s Gala, the University’s signature fundraising event for student scholarships, will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on Saint Martin’s Lacey campus.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Renee Erickson to Saint Martin’s for our 2026 Gala,” said Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D., president of Saint Martin’s University. “Her commitment to culinary excellence and community reflects the Benedictine values that guide our University. The Gala is a celebration of hospitality and generosity, and Chef Erickson’s artistry will help us create an unforgettable evening celebrating and supporting our students.”
A Seattle native, Erickson is chef and co-owner of a collection of acclaimed restaurants and hospitality ventures across the Pacific Northwest, including The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lioness, Barnacle, Westward and General Porpoise Doughnuts and Coffee. Her work highlights the seasonal bounty of the Pacific Northwest through a European lens, blending simplicity, elegance and a deep respect for ingredients.
Erickson published her first cookbook, “A Boat, a Whale and a Walrus” in 2014, which earned critical acclaim and received a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award. Her second book, “Getaway: Food and Drink to Transport You,” released in 2021, invites readers on a culinary journey inspired by Rome, Paris, Normandy, Baja California, London and Seattle, featuring 120 recipes and 60 cocktail recipes. Her newest cookbook, “Sunlight & Breadcrumbs,” celebrates the creativity and satisfaction found in everyday cooking, encouraging home cooks to find beauty and inspiration in simple meals.
Erickson graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and now serves there on the board of the School of Art + Art History + Design. She lives in Seattle with her family.
“The Gala is a powerful expression of our community’s belief in the transformative value of education,” said John Grossman, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “In 2025, we raised $2 million for scholarships, turning the dream of a college education into a reality for many of our students. We’re deeply grateful to our alumni and the wider community for their extraordinary generosity and steadfast support. Their commitment opens doors of opportunity and empowers our students to lead lives of purpose, service and impact.”
Rooted in the Catholic, Benedictine tradition of hospitality, the Saint Martin’s Gala has grown into the premier culinary event in the South Sound region. The black-tie celebration features a five-course gourmet dinner, live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and a smorgasbord of items and experiences auctioned off all in support of making a Saint Martin’s education possible for talented students, no matter their financial status.
To learn more about the 2026 Saint Martin’s Gala or to purchase tickets, visit www.stmartin.edu/gala or contact the Saint Martin’s University Office of Institutional Advancement at 360-438-4366 or gala@stmartin.edu.