Food and Wine Fundraiser - 2011
The inaugural event to raise funds for the Emmaus House, "The Best of San Benito County Food & Wine," featured the work of five chefs with local ties, plus wines from local wineries. The five-course meal at San Juan Oaks Golf Club took place on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Food was prepared by chefs Robby Stevens from the Inn at Tres Pinos, Doug Kuerschner III from Carmel Valley Ranch Golf & Country Club, Matt Bolton from Highlands Inn, Mike Fischer from Bernardus Lodge and Sean Shelton from Peppoli at the Inn at Spanish Bay. The wineries include Alicats, Calera, Guerra Wine Cellars, Jayse, Pietra Santa and Teaque.
Each chef's food is paired with a specific winery, while the organizers will use as many local products as possible, board member Liz Sparling said.
Sparling also stressed that the organization is trying to do more fundraising to stay strong financially. "Since building the (Emmaus House) we haven't really done any individual fundraising. We wanted to do something that's a little bit different than what's been done in town before."
A live auction took place during part of the dinner, while a silent auction lasted throughout the event. As for the $125 ticket price, Sparling underscored the involvement from five chefs and the wines, along with the fact that it's a donation, too. "It is a five-course dinner prepared by these amazing chefs," she said.
Organizers such as Doug Kuerschner Jr. got the inaugural festivities off to a good start. "I'm hoping it becomes an annual one," he said.
Click Here to see a poster that was used to publicize the event in 2011.