Guy Fieri helps to raise $700,000 for Saint Martin's

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 $12,000.

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

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