Celebrity chef Jet Tila is everywhere. His new cookbook, “101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die,” just came out, and he’s making two appearances in Anaheim. He’ll present a chef’s demo at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival on April 17 and he’s a headliner at the Illumination Foundation’s Chef’s Table gala on March 27 at the Disneyland Hotel.

Jack Toan, the foundation’s chief operating officer, said he knows Tila will draw fans to the annual event, which is presented by Disneyland Resort, a longstanding supporter of Illumination Foundation whose mission is to end homelessness in Orange County.

The aim is to add much needed funds to the foundation’s $50 million annual budget. Last year the gala raised more than $1.3 million and Toan expects to top that at this year’s party.

“The funds that are raised at this event are really critical this year,” he said. “Last year we were able to raise that money and it went directly to helping us purchase and develop a family shelter for children with disabilities and chronic health conditions.”

“This year, hopefully we can exceed the $1.3 million, and the money’s going to support a campus in Santa Ana that we’re developing that will house seniors, one of the fastest growing demographics facing homelessness. It’s for seniors and families with kids. We hope to be able to put a preschool onto the campus as well. It’s essentially an inter-generational campus,” Toan said.

Chef’s Table, formerly known as Table for Ten, is a lavish feast for foodies with a heart. It gathers chefs from popular local restaurants who serve elegant three-course meals with wine and cocktail pairings. Participants always try to out do each other by setting spectacular table scapes that recreate the vibe of their restaurants using floral arrangements, lighting, sculptures, dinnerware, stemware and linens fit for a Michelin starred dining room.

It’s his third time participating for Tila, a Calabasas resident who’s co-host of “Iron Chef America” and a recurring judge on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.”

“It’s one of the few events a year that I’m personally involved in, from planning all the way to cooking,” Tila said. “We have more than 30 chefs. Andy (Andrew Sutton, culinary director of Signature Restaurants at the Disneyland Resort) and I are the two headliners and we’ve got staples from Orange County and the greater Southern California area.”

Some of the participating restaurants include  Adya, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Broadway by Amar Santana, Defiant BBQ & Friends, Descanso, El Mercado Modern Cuisine, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Harley Laguna Beach, Napa Rose, Pei Wei by Jet Tila,  Rockin’ Baja, Rossoblu, Sapphire Catering Group, Seafood Cove 2,; Slapfish, Strong Water Anaheim, Tableau, The Cellar, The Ranch Restaurant, Toast Kitchen & Bakery, Urbana, Vaca, Villa Roma; and Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge at the Inn at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Vendors such as Rancho Capistrano Winery, Melissa’s Produce, Produce Catering, Sysco, Shamrock Foods and OC Baking Company will also be helping with the event.

Tila, who has helmed restaurants but now has more of a consulting role with companies such as Pei Wei, has a strong devotion to the cause.

Born in the U.S. to a Thai and Chinese family, Tila speaks Thai and Cantonese. The Tilas were among the first to open Thai markets and restaurants when that ethnic cuisine began to soar in popularity in Southern California. His uncle Sam Tila operated the Royal Thai restaurant in Newport Beach for 39 years.

But before achieving so much success, the Tilas struggled.

“I remember food stamps and No. 10 cans of peanut butter and 5-pound boxes of government cheese. We were on the brink homelessness,” he said. “I can vividly remember what it was like to be hungry, so this is my very small way of giving back.”

Two appearances in Anaheim is also a way to reconnect with locals.

“I’m really excited for both of these events in Orange County,” Tila said. “My family’s had roots there for 30 years now and it’s nice to be back.”

If you go

Chef’s Table gala: 5 p.m. March 27 at the Disneyland Hotel, 1150 W. Magic Way, Anaheim. For tickets and more information, visit auctria.events/Chefstable22.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: Jet Tila will present a demo on preparing Street Style Basil Pork Over Rice with a Fried Egg at 5:30 p.m. on April 17. Demos are free with admission to the park. For more information, visit disneyland.disney.go.com.

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