Every year San Francisco rallies to support homebound seniors. It’s a remarkable, uplifting occasion. Meals on Wheels once again threw its lavish “Star Chefs and Vintners Gala,” and thousands came out to support the non-profit, bidding first discretely at a silent auction, and then later boisterously during a three-course dinner.

By evening’s end, it was impossible not to be smitten by the outpouring of support. And, yes, also not to be satiated beyond any reasonable measure thanks to the treasures being served up by some of the city’s most revered culinary talent. As you can see in the Stark Insider photo recap below this was the stuff of dreams.

Grab a dish. Pair your wine. Savor the moment. Repeat.

Once again the festival center at the Fort Mason Center served as the venue–it’s been held here since I first started attending in 2010. An expansive hors d’oeuvre and wine and cocktail reception kicks things off. Here, you can make your way (if you wish, loop to loop like I did!) sampling one delectable dish after another. Some of the region’s most impressive wines line the perimeter of the room. Grab a dish. Pair your wine. Savor the moment. Repeat.

Meals on Wheels
Dessert. I’m game.

Around 6:30, the curtains at the rear open, and you’re invited to take a seat for a three-course dinner. On a large screen you can watch the wild action taking place backstage as Chefs and their teams plate a gastronomic experience for a thousand or so of their closest friends. To get a sense of that finely orchestrated action, you can watch this behind-the-scenes segment we shot at the Star Chefs gala:

WATCH: BTS Star Chefs & Vintners Gala with Chefs Nancy Oakes (Boulevard), Michael Chiarello (Bottega)

This year’s dinner was the best in recent memory.

Chef Mourad Lahlou (Mourad) opener featured asparagus, and egg, with chermoula buttermilk and vadouvan. Whimsically presented, and light, savory on the finish, it was a welcome surprise to a traditional first course salad.

Grilled octopus by Chef Josh Even (Tosca Cafe) that followed was simply outstanding. Tender. Succulent (crème fraîche certainly helps!). Unforgettable.

For the main course, Chefs Parke Ulriche, Kenneth Coverdell and Andrew Hager served up a a real star attraction: Braised short rib, with New Zealand langoustine (Norway lobster), and bone marrow torchon. A delight, each and every delectable morsel.

Each course was paired with a wine, in order: Mauritson ’13 Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc; ’11 Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir; and ’11 Pedegral Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

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But the real star of the Star Chefs and Vintners Gala was, of course, the live auction. Meals on Wheels of San Francisco executive director Ashley McCumber opened with remarks, thanked patrons, guests and supporters alike, before turning it over to the auctioneer. 16 lots in total offered guest several unique and fun ways to help support Meals on Wheels. Lot #7 “Dining with Good Friends,” for example, offered a lucky bidder to have two Michelin star chef Michael Tusk (Quince, San Francisco) come to their home to prepare a “lavish” dinner for eight. Paddles were a poppin’!

MORE STARK INSIDER: “Meatopia” at Monterey Beach House (Video)

After all the excitement, and after all the lots had been auctioned off, we headed to the dessert reception, where… well, where the spectacular evening continued. I would write more, but better to let the photos below do the talking.

We should know shortly how much the 2015 edition of the Gala raised for Meals on Wheels (last year the final tally was $2.6 million, which allowed them to serve 1.3 million meals in every neighborhood of San Francisco).

IN PHOTOS:
Meals on Wheels “Star Chefs and Vintners Gala” 

Hors d’oeuvre, wine & cocktail reception

Brown Sugar Kitchen - Meals on Wheels
The team from Tanya Holland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen (Oakland) serving up some pitch perfect Seafood Gumbo.
Chef Justin Deering (Doc Ricketts)
Chef Justin Deering working the details. Porchetta di Testa, house made ricotta, English peas. Yes!
Executive Chef Gabriele Originario of La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Executive Chef Gabriele Originario of La Mar Cebicheria Peruana. His artful dish was one of my favorites.
Star Chefs & Vintners Gala at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
Bringing someone behind the camera a dish!
Chef Paul Piscopo of The Ramen Bar.
Chef Paul Piscopo of The Ramen Bar. Spicey soy cured egg with cajun ramen. Most definitely!
E&O Kitchen and Bar - Star Chefs and Vintners Gala San Francisco
Crisp Pork Belly Lettuce Cup – E&O Kitchen and Bar
Executive Chef Steve Walker of Rose Pistola.
Executive Chef Steve Walker of Rose Pistola.

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Town Hall - Meals on Wheels Gala at Fort Mason, San Francisco
Town Hall: Marinated strawberries, basil goat cheese mousse, pistachio crumble.
Chef Adam Keough, Absinthe, San Francisco.
The team from Absinthe.
Absinthe: Chilled Spring pea puree, Jamon Serrano, parmesan croutons.
Absinthe: Chilled Spring pea puree, Jamon Serrano, parmesan croutons.
Chef Roman Petry of Roka Akor.
Chef Roman Petry of Roka Akor.

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Star Chefs and Vintners Gala San Francisco with Loni Stark
Have sparkling wine will travel.

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Chef Mark Gordon of Terzon tempts me.
Chef Mark Gordon of Terzon tempts me.

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Larry Finn of Scala's Bistro.
Larry Finn of Scala’s Bistro (Sir Francis Drake).
The scene at Charles Phan's Hard Water.
The scene at Charles Phan’s Hard Water.

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Chef Joyce Conway of Zero Zero
Chef Joyce Conway of Zero Zero dishes up a crowd pleaser.

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Cheers! Chef Benjamin Balesteri of Poggio.
Cheers! Chef Benjamin Balesteri of Poggio.

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Chef Sachon Chopra (All Spice)
Chef Sachon Chopra (All Spice) explains the inspiration behind his outstanding dish.

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1760: Smoked Hamachi Crudo
1760: Smoked Hamachi Crudo, with citrus vinaigrette, wasabi oil, espelette, red shiso. Okay, I admit, I visited more than once…
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Plating at Piperade Restaurant.
Loni Stark and Kaye Cloutman - Star Chefs & Vintners Gala
A nice chat and GoPro moment with Kaye Cloutman, publisher of Gastronomique en Vogue.
With San Francisco star pastry Chef Yigit Pura of Tout Sweet.
With San Francisco star pastry Chef Yigit Pura of Tout Sweet.

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Meals on Wheels Gala, San Francisco
One of my favorite dishes. Loved it.

SILENT AUCTION

Silent Auction - Meals on Wheels
Shhh! Silent auction in process.
No Dietary Restrictions by Rick Griggs
I loved the color pop on this mixed media canvas “No Dietary Restrictions” by artist (and pastry chef!) Rick Griggs.
Duckhorn and Mt. Brave red wines at Star Chefs & Vintners Gala, San Francisco.
Hmmm, Duckhorn or Mt. Brave… can’t go wrong either way, especially with the size of that bottle.

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THREE-COURSE DINNER & LIVE AUCTION

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Tamber Bey winery (Calistoga) owner Barry Waitte.
I was fortunate to be seated at a table with Tamber Bey winery (Calistoga) owner Barry Waitte.
Meals on Wheels Executive Director Ashley McCumber - Gala Dinner
Everyone’s favorite, MOW San Francisco exec. director Ashley McCumber.
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Live auction!

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DESSERT RECEPTION

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Meals on Wheels San Francisco.
Meals on Wheels has benefited San Francisco neighborhoods and seniors since 1970.
Star Chefs & Vintners Gala 2015
Later in the evening things get loungy, before eventually getting clubby!

AND… A COFFEE FOR THE ROAD…

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2015 is off to a very special start. Earlier, the Premiere Napa Valley wine auction smashed records. Then, last week Pebble Beach Food & Wine showcased the best of the West Coast. Now, a memorable evening at the Star Chefs & Vintners Gala in support of Meals on Wheels San Francisco. More to come on Stark Insider, as we seek out the most creative, interesting and inspiring things in and around San Francisco.

Loni Stark
Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.