2010 Gala Silent Auction
Cooking for Solutions 2011 will take place May 20-22.
Extraordinary Experiences
Twin Oaks "Tasting & Touring” Package
Join lauded Southern chef Regina Charboneau, at Twin Oaks, her historic B&B in Natchez, Mississippi, for a taste of the amazing culinary and historic heritage of the area. Spend two nights in Twin Oaks’ beautifully appointed guest rooms overlooking three acres of gardens and rise each morning to enjoy breakfast at historic Dunleith, a Greek Revival mansion nearby. Regina will take you on a tasting tour of Natchez, stopping at three of her favorite spots for tastes and beverages. Then join Regina in the kitchen for a cooking class followed by dinner with wine in the main dining room. You’ll receive a personalized copy of her book, "Regina's Table at Twin Oaks.
Donated by Regina Charboneau
Feeding Frenzy
Experience a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium for six including multiple animal feedings. Led by an Aquarium naturalist, this exclusive opportunity includes admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a gift certificate for lunch in the Aquarium’s Portola Cafe and Restaurant.
Donated by Monterey Bay Aquarium and Bon Appétit Management Company
Relaxing Golf Getaway
The perfect wine country getaway for a pair of golf enthusiasts, this package includes accommodations in a luxurious one-bedroom suite and a round of golf at Silverado Resort in Napa Valley. With two 18-hole championship courses, Silverado offers plenty of challenges for players of all skill levels. You’ll play your round (cart included) with a Fetzer Vineyard golf bag and innovative Callaway golf balls.
Donated by Silverado Resort and Brown Forman
Windows to the Sea: A Night at Ventana
Spend the night perched on the cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the stunning Pacific coastline. At the luxurious Ventana Inn & Spa, situated on more than 200 acres in a serene natural setting, you can stroll through the grounds, relax poolside, or rejuvenate at the spa while soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. Your Ventana getaway includes one night at the Inn and dinner for two at the Restaurant at Ventana which features menus full of local, seasonal ingredients from California's Central Coast.
Donated by Ventana Inn & Spa
Los Angeles Food and Fun Adventure
This sunny culinary and cultural experience for two highlights the best of the City of Angels. Stay in the ultra-hip hotel, The Standard, and enjoy breakfast for two each morning. Savor the flavors of Mexico and Latin America with $75 gift certificates to both Border Grill and Ciudad, the highly acclaimed restaurants owned by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. Known as the Too Hot Tamales, Milliken and Feniger are renowned nationwide for their culinary mastery and commitment to sustainability and have been honored at previous Cooking for Solutions events. Then spend a day exploring the interactive exhibits at the California Science Center: You'll enjoy a private behind-the-scenes guided tour by Center staff; lunch at the on-site café and tickets to a screening at the Center's IMAX theater. You'll bring home two of the Tamales' popular cookbooks, "Cooking with Too Hot Tamales" and "Mesa Mexicana," plus a signature peppermill. Donated by the Too Hot Tamales, California Science Center and The Standard
Oregon Experience
Savor sustainability Oregon style! This package includes a private tour and wine tasting at the renowned (and sustainable) Sokol Blosser winery; dinner at Portland’s Bamboo Sushi, the world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant; and a night at The Nines, one of Portland’s hippest luxury hotels (includes parking).
Donated by Sokol Blosser, Bamboo Sushi and The Nines
San Francisco Culinary and Cultural Escape
Spend the night at the InterContinental San Francisco, the city’s newest luxury hotel in the trendy SoMa district, and enjoy dinner for two at One Market, where Cooking for Solutions chef Mark Dommen creates sophisticated American fare with sustainable, fresh-from-the-farm ingredients. Top it all off with two tickets to the re-designed California Academy of Sciences, and enjoy the museum’s restaurant The Moss Room with a generous gift certificate.
Donated by Intercontinental San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences and Lark Creek Restaurant Group.
Sonoma Culinary Experience
Explore the bounty of Sonoma wine country with this fun-filled food lovers’ package. Spend the night at Ramekins Inn, an intimate bed and breakfast with six luxurious guest rooms tucked above the popular Ramekins culinary school. Wake to a complimentary breakfast at the Inn, then spend the day how you choose. After a long day of exploring, get a true taste of Sonoma with a $150 gift certificate for The Girl and the Fig, where Chef Sondra Bernstein creates sophisticated French country fare with local Sonoma ingredients.
Donated by Ramekins Inn and The Girl and the Fig
Monterey Getaway for Two
A perfect way to explore all that the Monterey Peninsula has to offer, this package includes a one night stay at the Marriott Monterey, including breakfast for two, and free admission for two to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located in the heart of historic downtown Monterey, the Marriott Monterey is steps away from area attractions including Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row and just minutes from Carmel and Pebble Beach.
Donated by the Monterey Marriott and the Monterey Bay Aquarium
2011 Earth Day Food and Wine Festival Package
Celebrate Earth Day with a weekend of sustainably produced food and wine in beautiful Santa Margarita, California. Get two general admission tickets to the 2011 Earth Day Food and Wine Festival and enjoy barrel tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music and vineyard tours. Package includes admission to one of the weekend activities and a bottle of SIP Certified Sustainable wine. Donated by the Central Coast Vineyard Team
San Jose Sharks Night
The perfect experience for hockey fans of all ages, this package includes four tickets to a regular season Sharks game, free parking, and a pre-game guided behind-the-scenes tour, including the pressroom. After the game, feed your Shark-like appetite with a delicious Italian dinner for four at nearby Maggiano’s.
Donated by the San Jose Sharks
Inspiring Indulgences
Gloster Outdoor Suite
Enjoy the outdoors in style with this chic patio suite from high-end outdoor furniture designer Gloster. Created by designer John Caldwell, the Plantation collection’s neutral hues complement a variety of landscapes and will lend an air of comfortable sophistication to any outdoor space. Crafted with woven all-weather wicker and powder-coated aluminum frames, your Gloster outdoor suite will look and feel like new for many seasons to come. Collection includes a luxurious deep-seating swivel glider armchair; deep-seating armchair; deep-seating 2-seater sofa; and 48-by-30 ½-inch coffee table.
Donated by Gloster
Gloster Outdoor Dining Ensemble
Dinner outdoors has never been so stylish. This chic dining set designed by John Caldwell for Gloster will lend style and ease to every al fresco dinner party. Neutral hues complement a variety of landscapes and durable craftsmanship in all-weather materials means your outdoor dining set will look and feel like new for many seasons to come. Set includes four handsome dining chairs with arms and a 53 ½-inch round table.
Donated by Gloster
Wine Connoisseur’s Cellar
Creating the space for optimum bottle aging is a challenge for any wine collector. Fluctuations in temperature, light and moisture can adversely affect a prized bottle and result in a wasted investment; not to mention the wasted opportunity to enjoy a much-anticipated vintage. House your collection in the Viking Designer Series freestanding wine cellar and release your worries. The 24-inch-wide cellar holds up to 54 standard size bottles and is temperature adjustable from 40-65 degrees. With a keyed door lock, easy-to-use touchpad with LED readout and low-intensity interior lighting, you can safely store and display your collection. As an added bonus, this handsome cellar comes with a variety of vintages from Cooking for Solutions participating wineries.
Donated by Viking
Le Creuset Cookware Essentials
No cook’s kitchen is complete without Le Creuset. The enameled cast iron cookware is used by chefs around the world and is perfect for browning, braising, baking and sauces. This essential set in vibrant, eye-catching Cassis includes a 3.5-quart oval French oven; 7.25-quart round French oven; 2.25-quart saucier; 10.25-inch iron handle skillet and mini round cocotte.
Donated by Le Creuset
Barbecue and Wine Lovers’ DIY Kit
Make Memphis and Kansas City pitmasters green with envy when you serve smoky ribs, juicy brisket and mouthwatering chicken made in your new Big Green Egg barbecue. This popular, high-end ceramic barbecue can be used as a smoker, grill or an outdoor oven and offers superior temperature control, fuel efficiency and ease of use. Your Fetzer branded Big Green Egg will come loaded with accessories; plus an assortment of Fetzer wines with a carrying case; the perfect combination for a gourmet backyard soiree or wine country barbecue picnic.
Donated by Fetzer
Annieglass Splash Bowl
The graceful, free-form shape of this hand-blown art glass bowl captures the spontaneous beauty of water in motion. The limited edition piece is one of only 250 and is signed by the artist, Annieglass founder Annie Morhauser. Based in nearby Santa Cruz, California, the Annieglass studio has produced luxury handmade glass table art for more than 25 years. The beauty and artistry of this piece makes it a welcome addition to any collection.
Donated by Annie Morhauser/Annieglass
Delta Pilar® Faucet with
Touch® Technology
Own a deluxe faucet from one of the country's top faucet brands. The Pilar® Pull-down kitchen faucet coordinates with any décor and turns on at the touch of your hand.
Donated by Delta Faucet
Red Cabezon Painting
A vibrant mixed media painting depicting the distinctive cabezon, a fascinating fish found in the waters of Monterey Bay. Painted by Aquarium staffer Steven Lucas. Gallery wrapped. 20” x 20”.
Donated by Steven Lucas
Annieglass Giant Clamshell Bowl
Annie Morhauser has been making exquisite, hand-blown art glass for more than 25 years and her signature style is coveted by collectors worldwide. This elegant bowl in vivid aquamarine is a conversation piece on its own, or when used as a vessel for flowers or branches. Signed by the artist, this collection-worthy piece is one of only 500 in the world.
Donated by Annie Morhauser/Annieglass
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Enjoy four great seats at the June 12th San Francisco Giants game against the Oakland A’s (or another one of several select games), and then dine on delicious sustainable food at the stadium’s newly opened Public House restaurant, prepared by renowned chef Thom Fox. Donated by Bon Appétit Management Company
Los Angeles Zoo Membership and Private Tour
Get to know amazing animals with this one-year Family Membership to the Los Angeles Zoo. Benefits include unlimited admission for two adults and their kids or grandkids, newsletters, discounts and special events. Also included in this package is a special docent-led tour of the zoo and Botanical Gardens for up to four guests.
Donated by Los Angeles Zoo
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