Farrington.

“We refuse to call this place a museum,” said Executive Director and Chief Penguin

“We prefer National Future Institute. Or the Kingdom of Wow, which visitors exclaim when they arrive here.”

However, arriving guests were greeted by different words as protesters denounced the 1 percent in general and Penner (spouse of a Walmart heir) in particular.

But Randi Fisher had some choice words of her own, pointing out that the academy’s and other institutions’ free youth education programs wouldn’t exist without the support of deeppocketed donors.

“If we’re going to talk about percentages, then let’s talk about the people who’ve given 100 percent to make this event a success,” she declared. “Because it’s your support which effects change for everyone.” Hot wheels: It seemed every toque in town was in the kitchen with chefchairwoman Nancy Oakes Sunday at the Star Chefs and Vintners’ Gala, which raised a record $1.9 mil for Meals on Wheels.

Relocated to the cavernous confines of Pier 48, this 25th anniversary event starred 120 chefs and 70 vintners and cocktailians who dished up gourmet grub, poured primo vino and shook creative cocktails for more than 1,110 wellsated supporters.

“This event was always big. Now it’s huge,” said Boulevard and Prospect chef-owner Oakes, with a laugh. “But this year so many wanted to participate, and here we have more room.”

Guests at the tasting reception worried whether they’d have room for the sit-down, threecourse dinner created by such chefs as Canteen’s Dennis Leary, AQ’S Mark Liberman, Jardinière’s Traci Des Jardins, and La Folie’s Roland Passot.

The event was cofounded in 1987 by delightful dining doyenne Cecilia Chiang. For 15 years, Epic Roasthouse Chef Jan Birnbaum led the charge as event chefchairman. Now he’s just as happy serving his exquisite, hand-crafted salumi.

“I’m much better at second than I am at first,” he joked. “And in the past 10 years, Nancy has taken the gala to a whole new level.”

Also in the mix: chef Gary Danko; Tolan Florence; Greens chef Annie Somerville; Park Tavern restaurateur Anna Weinberg and her husband, James Nicholas; chef Martin Yan; Michael Murphy; Hog Island Oyster’s John Burkhard; Denise Hale; Rye Bar guys Jon Gasparini and Adrian Mccarron; and Taste Catering’s Meme Pederson, who faithfully organizes the nitty-gritty.

Since 1970, Meals on Wheels San Francisco (MOWSF) has provided social work services, nutrition counseling and twice-daily hot-meal deliveries to low-income, homebound seniors.

“Annually we’re delivering over 1 million meals,” said the group’s executive director, Ashley Mccumber. “And that translates to being the provider for twothirds of our seniors’ nutritional needs.”

Participants spoke glowingly of the program, including Piperade chef-owner Gerald Hirogoyen, whose Gallic shrug indicated his understanding that fate can be fickle.

“Who knows?” he asked. “Should I ever end up in that situation, I hope someone would care enough to feed me.”