Judges, Competitors Announced for 'Toasts & Tastes of Fall' Culinary Competition

The 10th Annual “Toasts & Tastes of Fall” Culinary Competition and Fundraiser on October 19th at California Center from 6:30 pm – 10 pm has attracted some of Pleasanton’s culinary elite. It’s a great chance to sample food from some established favorites- and a few new chefs in town.  

[Related article: Tickets Available for Pleasanton Partners in Education…]

This annual Cocktail Party, Culinary Competition and Silent Auction features fifteen culinary teams comprised of a local chef, school principal and corporate/community sponsors who compete for “Top Nod and a Cash Prize” in one of three categories: “Slow,” “Savory”  and “Sweet.”

Our judging panel this year features Nick Boer, Food Editor at Diablo Magazine, International Food & Wine Writer Deborah Grossman, and Auburn James Winemaker Jim Frost.

Competing in the Slow Category are: Almond’s Kitchen, Eddie Pappa’s American Hangout, FAZ Restaurant,  Forno Vecchio, Mangia Mi, and On the Vine Catering. Going skillet-to-skillet in the Savory Category are:  Baci Bistro & Café, Blue Agave Club, The Hopyard, Pans on Fire, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, Valley Catering. For a refreshing finish, our Sweet Category competitors are: Primrose Bakery, Sweet  Freedom Bake Shop, and Sweet & Savory.   

Guests can bid at the Silent Auction for some tastefully presented auction lots- and a little eye candy! Bid on a “Stay-cation” lot featuring dinner for two at The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards and an overnight at The Rose Hotel. Or head down to Aptos with the entire family for a few days at Seascape in a deluxe ocean-view condominium.

Keep your eyes peeled for our Napa Valley Roving Raffle opportunity courtesy of  Black Tie Transportation or invest in a selection of Fine Wines from Auburn James and Chappellet Vineyard & Winery-- and Cult Wines from The Prisoner and Orin Swift. While the guys are filling their wine cellars, the gals will be eying a selection of fine jewelry donated by Barron’s Jewelers as well as some fun, trendy items from Twisted Silver.

We appreciate the support of our Sponsors: Clorox, Fremont Bank, KKIQ, Oracle, Robert Half International, Black Tie Transportation, Kaiser Permanente, Ogden Costa Creative Group, Stoneridge Creek, Vulcan Materials, Balloons & Beyond, Pleasanton Police Officers Charitable Foundation, New Leaf Market, Pleasanton Rentals, and the Pleasanton Weekly.

Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online at www.ppie.org. Names will be placed on a guest list- no hard tickets will be mailed. Guests must be over 21 years old. For more information, contact the PPIE office at 925.846.5620 or mail@ppie.org.