Cooking for Solutions Event Details

Enjoy three days of remarkable culinary experiences with some of the finest chefs in North America. From our fabulous Friday Gala to small-group Food and Wine Adventures and the exciting Sustainable Seafood Challenge, you'll have a weekend of fun opportunities to enjoy great chefs, fine food and wine, and to discover ways to save the oceans—one meal at a time.
Amuse-Bouche: A Conversation with Michel Nischan and Rick Bayless (Photo © R Elledge)

Amuse-Bouche: A Conversation with Michel Nischan and Rick Bayless

Fri., May 18 (6-7:30 p.m.)

  • $200 Aquarium members only
  • Includes admission to Cooking for Solutions Gala
  • Add on the Premium Access Lounge (from 7:30-11 p.m.) for an additional $75
  • (Tax deductible: $55)
  • Aquarium Auditorium
Join Michel Nischan, visionary owner of the Dressing Room restaurant and president of the Wholesome Wave; and Rick Bayless, renowned chef, TV personality and founder of the Frontera Farmer Foundation; for a candid conversation about the passion and core values that drive their influential careers. Hors d'oeuvres and premium wines from Carmel Road Winery and La Crema will accompany this inspiring one-hour program and you'll take home Michel's acclaimed cookbook, Sustainably Delicious: Making the World a Better Place, One Recipe at a Time. Gain easy access to the Gala at the conclusion of this memorable event.

Carla Hall and Alexandra Guarnaschelli

Premium Access Lounge & Gala Package

Fri., May 18 (7-11 p.m.)

  • $200 Aquarium members only
  • (Tax deductible: $55)
  • Special Exhibition galleries and Aquarium Cafe & Restaurant
Beat the lines and crowds as you enjoy everything the Cooking for Solutions Gala has to offer—and more! You'll enter the Aquarium at 7 p.m. for a relaxing half-hour with Carmel Road and La Crema wines and hors d'oeuvres as you explore seahorses and jellies in our two special exhibitions. You'll be admitted to the Gala promptly at 7:30 p.m., and will have exclusive access throughout the evening to our Premium Access Lounge area—including a half-hour after the Gala concludes so you can unwind before heading home. Carla Hall will share sweet and savory "petite bites of love" from her artisan cookie company, Alchemy by Carla Hall. Alexandra Guarnaschelli and local celebrity chef Jerry Regester share special dishes they've created for the occasion. Enjoy specialty chocolates by Kristina Scrivani of Stone Creek Kitchen, premium wines from Carmel Road and La Crema, coffee and live music throughout the night.
Cooking For Solutions Gala

Cooking For Solutions Gala

Fri., May 18 (7:30-10:30 p.m.)

  • $155 general public/$125 Aquarium members
  • (Tax deductible: $55 general public/$25 Aquarium members)
  • Aquarium galleries
Savor sustainability at our 11th grand culinary celebration, with tasting opportunities in our exhibit galleries and ocean-view decks. Taste gourmet dishes prepared by celebrity chefs and 75 outstanding restaurants, along with organic and sustainable wines from 60 premium West Coast wineries. Stroll through our spectacular exhibit galleries, visit the beer garden and Safeway's Waterfront Bistro Lounge, and encounter new surprises. Includes a souvenir wineglass and event program featuring recipes from participating chefs. A silent auction benefiting the Aquarium's Seafood Watch program will feature outstanding culinary adventures, great wines and many one-of-a-kind items.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Special Hotel Accommodations

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

  • $499 per night Ocean View with balcony
  • $396 per night Ocean View
  • $200 per night non-Ocean View; single or double occupancy
Rooms are limited; for reservations call toll-free (800) 334-3999, or (831) 646-1700 x 44 and refer to the Cooking for Solutions event.

Event Packages

Cooking For Solutions Platinum

  • $650 Aquarium members only
  • Tax deductible: $190
Includes: Friday evening Amuse-Bouche: A Conversation with Michel Nischan and Rick Bayless + Premium Access Lounge (7:30-11 p.m.) + Cooking for Solutions Gala + Saturday Food & Wine Adventure + Sustainable Seafood Challenge + Sunday The Morning Chew: Breakfast with Carla Hall + one Sunday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program + one Sunday Salon Series program.

Cooking for Solutions Gold

  • $225 Aquarium members only
  • Tax deductible: $35
Includes: Friday evening Cooking for Solutions Gala + Saturday morning Savor the Gulf Coast Breakfast + one Saturday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program + one Sunday Salon Series program.

Salon Series One-Day Pass

  • $80 Aquarium members only
Enjoy all five Salon Series programs on either Saturday or Sunday. Whether you want to learn how to cook seafood perfectly, become a chocolate-tasting expert or make your own bacon, the pros will share their tips, tricks and lively commentary in each hour-long, interactive program. See Saturday and Sunday schedule for each day's program topics and times.