Local restaurant owner and former “Top Chef” contestant Rich Sweeney recently partnered with skin and hair care company Kiehl’s Since 1851 to support a six-day charity motorcycle ride up the California coast. The ride raised more than $60,000 for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. Though Sweeney said he’s never been on a motorcycle, he lent his culinary talents to a kick-off event at Kiehl’s new Fashion Valley Mall store on Aug. 2. Sweeney also flew to Palo Alto, where he prepared some of his popular dishes at a closing party. In return, Kiehl’s donated $20,000 to the ride in Sweeney’s name. The company is also donating 100 percent of the proceeds from its new, limited-edition sunscreen to amfAR.

Sweeney’s involvement in HIV/AIDS charities includes participation in Mama’s Kitchen’s annual “Mama’s Day” and the annual Dining Out for Life event, in which participating restaurants donate a portion of their daily proceeds to local HIV/AIDS agencies. Next year, Sweeney said he plans to donate 100 percent of proceeds from food sales at his R Gang Eatery during the event.

-Pat Sherman