A taste of the exotic

In many years past, chef Alan Greeley surprised patrons with creative, exotic tacos for the annual fundraiser Wild & Crazy Taco Night. This year, the surprise element will be on him as well: what to cook for Thursday evening?

Wild & Crazy Taco Night is an annual fundraiser for Share Our Selves where 22 chefs from the best restaurants in Orange County come to the charity’s facility at 1550 Superior Ave. to compete in creating the most exotic taco, using unconventional fillings to provide an unbelievable experience.

Greeley, one of the founding chefs of the event, has never missed a year of Wild & Crazy Taco Night. Among his past creations are an Asian taco wrapped in a banana leaf and a taco made from a Louisiana snapping turtle.

When asked about how his Caribbean/French/Asian influence will relate to the preparation of a traditional Mexican dish, Greeley said, “there are no limits for your imagination. All rules are broken here. It’s not Mexican. It is anything you can hold in your hand like a cup and any kind of filling you can think of.” .

Last year’s tacos included: filet mignon, duck confit, ahi, Chinese aromatic oxtail and a s’more-style chocolate and marshmallow cream taco.

The proceeds of the event will benefit the SOS Orange Aid Project, which collects retrievable food from restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and caterers to distribute to low-income Orange County residents in the SOS Food Pantry.

In its 16th year, the Wild & Crazy Taco Night has been attracting more people each year, raising $8,000 in 2000 to $35,000 in 2008.

Greeley chose to help SOS over other organizations because it gives 100% of the profits to the project.

It’s an organization made of hardworking people, Greeley said.

Tickets are sold in advance only for $60 for a regular ticket and $150 for VIP.

Regular admission is at 5:30 p.m. and includes tacos, and beer, margaritas, soda and water.

VIP admission is at 4:15 p.m., and includes an opportunity to win a $200 gift certificate to the Golden Truffle in a drawing, tortillas, the beverages listed above and a horchata tasting station. VIP guests also get to mingle with the chefs and pre-sample seven unique tacos.

Contact Ashley Carlton at (949) 515-5400, ext. 34 or [email protected] for more information or to purchase tickets. Visit www.shareourselves.org/ calendarevents.html#taconight.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Wild & Crazy Taco Night, fundraiser for Share Our Selves’ Orange Aid Project

WHEN: 4:15 p.m. for VIP admission; 5:30 p.m. for general admission Thursday

WHERE: Share Our Selves, 1550 Superior Ave.

COST: $150 for VIP tickets; $60 for general admission

INFO: Contact Ashley Carlton at (949) 515-5400, ext. 34 or [email protected], or visit www.shareourselves.org/ calendarevents.html#taconight