James Beard Award-winner Nancy Oakes (Boulevard | Prospect) returns for her eighth year to lead one of the most illustrious line-ups of culinary superstars in Northern California as Meals On Wheels of San Francisco (MOWSF) hosts its 24th Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala on Sunday, May 15 at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. The gala is MOWSF’s largest fundraiser and its main source of charitable contributions for the year.
Gala Chef Chairwoman Oakes, along with more than 70 notable chefs from several of Northern California’s top restaurants, will come together to prepare the ultimate food lover’s feast, all to benefit MOWSF and their efforts to serve one of the city’s most vulnerable populations – homebound seniors.
“Meals on Wheels of San Francisco has increased its service to homebound seniors in San Francisco by 30% in the past five years. As boomers age, the number of homebound seniors will continue to grow dramatically as the local, regional and global population ages. The challenge to ensure that no senior goes hungry will be a daunting task as we move forward,” said Executive Director Ashley McCumber. “We are deeply honored to have the support of these world-class chefs, wineries and corporate sponsors. Their generosity enables us to provide nearly 960,000 meals to homebound seniors in San Francisco.”
Among the chefs participating in this year’s gala are: Mourad Lahlou (Aziza), Jan Birnbaum (EPIC Roasthouse), David Bazirgan (Fifth Floor), Thomas McNaughton (Flour + Water), Annie Somerville (Greens Restaurant), Joseph Manzare (Hecho | Zuppa), Chris Cosentino (Incanto |Boccalone), Michael Tusk & Sean O’Toole (Quince), Jennifer Biesty (Scala’s Bistro), Charles Phan (The Slanted Door), Matt McNamara & Teague Moriarty (Sons & Daughters), Matthew Accarrino (SPQR) and Mark Sullivan (Spruce).
A stellar collection of over 60 of California’s leading vintners will also participate in the gala, many of them providing wine pairings for each of the dishes. Participating vintners include, Chappellet Vineyard, Crocker & Starr Wines, Duckhorn Vineyards, Hanzell Vineyards, Mumm Napa, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Poem Cellars, Radio-Coteau Wine Cellars, Realm Cellars and Saddleback Cellars.
At a specialty cocktail bar, celebrity bartenders Scott Beattie (HMS Cocktails), Jon Gasparini (Rye/15 Romolo/Rosewood), Aaron Gregory Smith (15 Romolo) and Brooke Arthur (Prospect) will serve up classic spirits and exotic concoctions.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. with an hors d’oeuvre and wine reception, featuring creations from more than 30 chefs and wineries, followed by a three-course, sit-down meal, with each course prepared by one of 27 different chefs. The evening culminates with a lavish dessert reception featuring decadent sweets from Yigit Pura (Taste Catering& Event Planning), Jake Godby (Humphry Slocombe), Sara Spearin (Dynamo Donuts) and Kara Haspel Lind (Kara’s Cupcakes) to name a few.
During both live and silent auctions, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a number of once-in-a-lifetime items including private dinners with celebrity chefs. The evening’s exciting climax is “Fund-A-Route,” in which guests pledge cash donations towards funding an entire meal delivery route for the next year. Guests at the 2010 Gala raised a record-breaking $317,000 for “Fund-A-Route,” while the event raised a grand total of $1.2 million.
24th Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala
Individual tickets are priced at $450, with patron levels ranging from $1,500 to $20,000.
To reserve tickets or for more information, call 415-920-1111.
Founded in 1970, Meals On Wheels of San Francisco is committed to the belief that all seniors have the right to live independently with dignity and respect for as long as it is safely possible. Its mission is to provide isolated homebound seniors in San Francisco with nutritious meals, daily human contact and supportive services to prevent their premature institutionalization.
$20,000 GUIDING STAR PATRON
PROVIDING 4,000 MEALS FOR SENIORS· Gala Table for Ten
· Priority Seating
· Complimentary Champagne at Dinner Table
· Invitations to all Pre-Gala Events
· Listing in Gala Programs$12,000 FOUR STAR PATRON
PROVIDING 2,400 MEALS FOR SENIORS· Gala Table for Ten
· Invitations to all Pre-Gala Events
· Listing in Gala Programs$6,000 THREE STAR PATRON
PROVIDING 1,200 MEALS FOR SENIORS· Six Tickets for the Gala
· Invitations to all Pre-Gala Events
· Listing in Gala Programs$3,000 TWO STAR PATRON
PROVIDING 600 MEALS FOR SENIORS· Four Tickets for the Gala
· Invitations to all Pre-Gala Events
· Listing in Gala Programs$1,500 ONE STAR PATRON
PROVIDING 300 MEALS FOR SENIORS· Two Tickets for the Gala
· Invitations to all Pre-Gala Events
· Listing in Gala Programs
