Saint Martin’s Gala featuring Guy Fieri brings in more than $700,000

A sold-out event Saturday featuring celebrity chef Guy Fieri raised more than $700,000 for scholarships at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey.

The amount is an all-time high in the black tie event’s seven-year history, according to Sarah Holdener, director of event services.

The highest-fetching auction item was “The Chew for You” trip to New York City which included the opportunity to sit in on a taping of ABC’s talk show, “The Chew,” and dinner at Fieri’s restaurant Guy’s American Kitchen and bar. It sold for a whopping $12,000.

Before the event, Fieri spent time cooking in the kitchen and meeting with wounded, ill and injured soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Next year’s Gala will be held on Nov. 2 at the college’s Marcus Pavilion. For more information, go to www.stmartin.edu/gala.