Ahmed has a passion for fine food and hospitality, with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, he worked at some of Morocco’s most well known hospitality corporations — Hyatt Regency, Sheraton, Safir and Sofitel — covering all the bases: concierge, front desk, dining room manager.  Seeking to expand his worldview, he headed to one of Germany’s great retreats, Priem Am Kiemsee in the Hotel Feldhütter. Just 45 minutes from Munich, he made a name for himself at this fine resort as both front desk agent and dining room captain. A short time later America (and the mouse) came knocking, and Labbate seized the opportunity to utilize his background and European-style skills in an entirely unexpected way. He journeyed to Orlando, Florida, where he underwent intensive, elaborate training in “Morocco” — or at least in the Moroccan restaurant at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center.

Labbate continued his quest for the best as a captain at Aquavit in New York City, alongside up-and-coming star Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Labbate joined the Charlie Palmer Group as a captain at Aureole, NY and Aureole, Las Vegas, then as General Manager at Charlie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Prior to joining Broadway, Ahmed was the General Manager at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s in South Coast Plaza. He dreamt of opening his own restaurant and is excited to be collaborating with Chef Amar.

Chef Amar Santana is one of Orange County’s hottest rising stars who is undeniably transforming the OC culinary scene into a food destination. His impressive career crescendo in 2012 occurred at the age of 30, when he opened his widely successful flagship restaurant, Broadway By Amar Santana in Laguna Beach. His globally influenced menu includes unexpected flavor profiles and artful presentations, reflecting his zeal for food and for life. Almost immediately, critical acclaim, accolades and countless rave reviews rolled in. Santana attributes his success as a direct result of ambition, drive, passion, and modestly, extraordinary talent.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Santana migrated to the US at the age of 13 and his family settled in Queens, NY. During his sophomore year in high school, an accidental enrollment into a cooking course sponsored by Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) forever changed his life. Santana’s teacher immediately recognized great potential and encouraged the 16-year-old to further his training through an internship at Chef David Waltuck’s Chanterelle, one of New York’s famed French restaurants. In 1999, Santana entered a culinary competition sponsored by C-CAP and won a two week long trip to London’s prestigious Le Cordon Bleu. Upon graduating high school, Santana enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on a full scholarship awarded by C-CAP.

In 2001 Santana began an externship at Aureole under the mentorship of Chef Gerry Hayden, for which he returned upon CIA graduation as a full time cook. Within a year he became the youngest person to be named Sous Chef in one of New York’s busiest and most demanding kitchens. After honing his skills at Aureole, Santana was tapped to serve on the opening teams for Chef Palmer’s highly acclaimed Charlie Palmer Steak and Fin Fish in Reno, NV proceeded by Charlie Palmer at The Joule in Dallas, TX.

In 2007, at the age of 25, after undergoing a world tour on the Seaborne Cruise Line as a consulting chef, Charlie Palmer selected Santana to run the kitchen of his first Southern California restaurant, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza. As Executive Chef, Santana earned Charlie Palmer four stars from the Orange County Register and one of Orange County’s Top Ten restaurants by Orange Coast Magazine. Embracing California’s culinary landscape helped to diversify his craft and inspired an appreciation for the integrity of ingredients. Passionate about all things pork, Chef Santana also cultivated and mastered his skills with dried meat and charcuterie.

Since the birth of his culinary career at the age of 16, the dream to open his own restaurant came into fruition in September of 2011. Broadway By Amar Santana evokes a New York ambience, with a beautifully designed kitchen and an intimate speakeasy cocktail bar. Since opening a year ago, Santana has garnered countless praise-worthy articles and acclaim, among them: Orange Coast Magazine’s Top Ten Chef’s of 2012; OC Metro’s Best Chef’s in Orange County; OC Weekly’s Best Restaurant of 2012; and, a place on the Open Table Hottest Restaurant List. Ultimately even the awards take a back seat to his singular pursuit of expressing his passion through food and providing an unforgettable gastronomical experience. Chef Santana’s fearless enthusiasm and adventurous spirit continue to drive him towards greatness.

Michael Rooney joined Vaca Group in 2013 as a bartender at Broadway by Amar Santana, where his earnestness to improve his craft and academic approach to spirits quickly earned him the Bar Manager post. Under his curation, the Broadway Spirits Program has become a dynamic, quality-driven staple in Orange County. A Hispanophile at heart, Michael has spent the last year focusing on Sherry wine—one of the world’s most remarkable, varied, and misunderstood categories of alcohol. This research and interest lends heavily to the focuses of the Vaca Beverage Program. His 2015 win in the Tullamore DEW Bar Stories competition embodied the knowledge and assertive character that have made him one of the most enigmatic barpersons in Orange County.

Pam Roy is a philanthropist, businesswoman, investor, and community leader with a mission to provide transformational community-based mental health support for families and youth. She is co-founder of Straight Up Impact, a company at the intersection of film and social impact. As part of their Meaning in Madness film series, she collaborated with Big Picture Learning, to create B-Unbound, a community-based platform that connects 14-24-year-olds to supportive adults and peers around shared interests. It runs parallel to school systems and is free to all youth. Recognizing the key role meaning plays in wellness, Pam is the co-founder of the Viktor Frankl Institute of America and co-author of “The Inspiring Wisdom of Viktor E. Frankl.” She writes a blog that inspires and challenges parents to look at systemic issues affecting youth mental health and wellbeing.

Pam created the Hands of Freedom program for International Sanctuary, a social enterprise that empowers women escaping human trafficking, she is on the Steering Committee for Authentic Connections Groups, a nonprofit supporting resilience in moms and children, and co-owns Vaca Restaurant in Costa Mesa, CA with Chef Amar Santana and Ahmed Labbate.