Five Los Angeles chefs--Michael Cimarusti of Providence, Josiah Citrin of Mélisse, David LeFevre of Water Grill, Gino Angelini of Angelini Osteria and Neal Fraser of Grace--have come together to form the 5 x 5 Chefs Collaborative, giving them the opportunity to unite and share their considerable talents to inspire one another, have some fun in the kitchen and cook some amazing menus. The third annual 5 x 5 dinner series features each of the five chefs with a very special guest chef from outside of L.A. for each event, collaborating on five superb menus. A portion of the proceeds from each night will benefit the Southern California Chapter of Special Olympics.

So far, the dinners have featured Alessandro Stratta of Alex at the Wynn Las Vegas at Providence (April 28) and Gabriel Kreuther (pictured, right) of New York City's The Modern at Mélisse (May 17). Upcoming dinners include Sean McClain of Chicago's Spring at Grace (June 15), Curtis Duffy of Avenues at the Penninsula Chicago at Water Grill (Aug. 23) and Paul Bartolotta of Wauwatosa, Wis.-based Bartolotta Restaurant Group at Angelini Osteria (Sept. 21).

Hawaiian big eye tuna with sour plums, pickled leeks and Sun Gold tomatoes, prepared at Mélisse by the 5 x 5 Chefs Collaborative May 17 (photo credit: David Guilburt)