{ Section 600: Food & Wine }

{ 600 } Dinner with the Brunelles at Tejas
Lively conversation, a flight of tequilla and flavorful dining! You and three guests will be joined by Philip and Carolyn Brunelle for a memorable evening at Tejas, where the chef will prepare a special menu just for your table. The flavors of the American southwest will delight, as will the company! [Date to be mutually agreed upon. Reservations required two weeks in advance. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Tejas Restaurant Value: $600

{ 601 } Dinner for Six at the St. Paul Grill
From the delicious menu, generous cocktails and outstanding wines, to the impeccable service and unrivaled location overlooking Rice Park, The St. Paul Grill is a destination restaurant with a reputation that spans generations. Enjoy this amazing dinner for six at The St. Paul Grill, a restaurant that is on “Everyone’s List of Favorites.” [Tax and gratuity not included. Reservations required. Expires May 1, 2009.] Donor(s): The St. Paul Hotel Value: $300

{ 602 } Beer Tasting
Brewing historian, certified beer judge and VocalEssence bass section member Doug Hoverson will conduct a guided beer tasting at your next gathering. Learn about the ingredients, processes and traditions of the industry while sampling ten carefully selected varieties of specialty beers. Plus a personalized copy of Doug’s award-winning new book Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota. [Limit 12 people, must be 21 or older. Mutually agreed upon date and location.] Donor(s): Doug Hoverson Value: $150

{ 603 } African Dinner for Eight
Julie and Charlie Zelle invite eight people to their lovely Kenwood home for an authentic African dinner prepared by Asei Mannstein Tendle, a chef at Open Arms of Minnesota who specializes in African cuisine. Not only a chef, Asei is also a talented designer, visual artist, musician and skateboarder! [Date to be mutually agreed upon in 2008.] Donor(s): Charles and Julie Zelle; Open Arms of Minnesota Value: $450

{ 604 } Cafe Latté Dessert
Let Cafe Latté make your event memorable with an award winning dessert. Their notorious Turtle Cake will delight your guests, or check out their entire variety of cakes, tarts, tortes and cupcakes made fresh every day. Cafe Latté never uses artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and you can tell by the delicious taste! [Place order two days in advance. Expires May 31, 2008.] Donor(s): Cafe Latte Value: $32

{ 605 } Kramarczuk Gift Certificate
Treat yourself to $25 worth of tasty treats from Kramarczuk’s huge selection of fresh, homemade sausage and bakery items, as well as imported European specialties. Donor(s): Kramarczuk Sausage Company Value: $25

{ 606 } Restaurant Review with Rick Nelson
You’ll be entertained, enlightened and educated about every morsel as you enjoy your dinner for two with Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson. The winning bidder will select the restaurant from Rick’s upcoming review schedule. Don’t forget your sunglasses, wig and scarf! [Date to be mutually agreed upon. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Rick Nelson Value: $150

{ 607 } Downtowner Woodfire Grill
The Downtowner Woodfire Grill is one of St. Paul’s favorite neighborhood restaurants. With an open floor plan and two fireplaces, the Downtowner offers a charming 21st century atmosphere. Dinner is enhanced by live jazz music on Friday and Saturday evenings or half-priced bottled wine with dinner on Monday & Tuesday nights. [Reservations recommended. Does not include beverages and gratuity. Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Moe Sharif, Downtowner Woodfire Grill Value: $50

{ 608 } Dinner at the Black Forest Inn
There’s nothing like a German dinner on the lovely patio at the award winning Black Forest Inn on Eat Street in Minneapolis. Its famous specialties include homemade spaetzle, sauerbraten and apple strudel. Prost! [Expires May 3, 2009. Not redeemable for cash.] Donor(s): Black Forest Inn Value: $50

{ 609 } Cooking Class with Vincent Francoual
You and five guests will participate in the once in a lifetime experience of a personal cooking lesson with renowned Chef Vincent Francoual, executive chef and owner of Vincent - A Restaurant. Born in France, Vincent spent much of his career studying and working in France, Italy and Great Britain, before establishing his now famous Minneapolis restaurant in 2001. Lunch with wine tasting to follow. [Date to be mutually agreed upon for a Saturday morning on or before May 30, 2009. Minors will not be served wine with lunch.] Donor(s): Vincent: A Restaurant Value: Priceless

{ 610 } Chef’s Table for Four at Vincent - A Restaurant
Chef Vincent Francoual cordially invites you and three guests to enjoy an extraordinary six-course dinner at the kitchen table of his famous downtown establishment, Vincent - A Restaurant. He is certain to delight with his unique and contemporary interpretation of traditional French dishes — an experience you and your guests will long remember. [Redeemable on or before May 30, 2009.] Donor(s): Vincent: A Restaurant Value: $300

{ 611 – 612 top two bidders win}
Murray’s Dinner for Two
You and a lucky guest will savor the famous Silver Butter Knife Steak at Murray’s, the original Minneapolis Steak Restaurant. Start with a side Caesar or house salad, then share the most tender 28 oz. New York Strip Sirloin with choice of sides. [Additional courses and wine are extra. Tax and gratuities not included.] Donor(s): Murray’s Restaurant; Value: $96

{ 613 } Wall of Wine
Members of the VocalEssence Chorus, as well as Maestro Brunelle, have contributed a bottle of their favorite wine for you to enjoy. The total comes to five cases of wine that will fill your wine rack. Enjoy a wall’s worth of our favorite selections, and one very good bottle of beer! Donor(s): VocalEssence Chorus & Philip Brunelle Value: $1,000

{ 614 } Deep Roots Desserts
Take home a Sweet Potato Pie by Deep Roots Gourmet Desserts—a 9-inch, deep dish bit of heaven! This southern traditional Sweet Potato Pie is handmade from scratch using the highest quality ingredients. Featured in Minnesota Monthly Magazine by Sue Zelickson as being “Simply the best!” Donor(s): Deep Roots Desserts Value: $25

{ 615 } Martini Gift Basket
For five generations, the Phillips family has been producing high quality products using the finest ingredients sourced from around the globe. Whether shaken or stirred, this gift basket from Phillips Distilling Company is sure to “add spirit” to your next gathering! The gift basket includes three bottles of UV Vodka, Martini Shaker, glasses, T-shirt and other goodies. Donor(s): Phillips Distilling Company Value: $100

{ 616 } Dinner Party with the Jaffrays & Chef Ferris
Ten very lucky people will join their hosts, Pat & Ben Jaffray, at their stunning home for dinner prepared and presented by Ferris Shiffer, Executive Chef of the Minikahda Club, recognized as one of the Twin Cities’ premier chefs. With this hostess and this chef, you are guaranteed an unforgettable evening — perfect hospitality and an exceptional culinary experience in a beautiful setting. [Date to be mutually agreed upon.] Donor(s): Ben & Pat Jaffray; Ferris Shiffer Value: Priceless

{ 617 } Formal English Afternoon Tea
Grab your fancy hats ladies, you’ll feel like you’re at high tea with the queen at this event! Enjoy a wonderful afternoon tea for eight at the lovely Lake Minnetonka home of Margene Fox, former owner of the Fox & Drake Tea Room. [Expires May 3, 2009.] Donor(s): Margene Fox Value: $300

{ 618 } Mixin’ with Johnny at La Belle Vie
Four to six fortunate friends will enjoy a cocktail mixing demonstration with Johnny at La Belle Vie, said by critic Andrew Zimmern to have “the best hand-shaken cocktails in town, courtesy of the unflappable Johnny Michael, who mixes all his cocktails by hand with fresh-squeezed juices.” In addition to the cocktails, nibble on a selection of tasty hors d’oeuvres. [Certificate may not be used for dining.] Donor(s): La Belle Vie Value: $100

{ 619 } “Victorian Elegance” Flourless Chocolate Cake
Indulge in a decadent, delicious dessert made from scratch. Two flourless chocolate cakes will serve 16-24 people at your next party or gathering. Rich, creamy, chocolaty — delightful! [Available by order 2 weeks in advance from donor.] Donor(s): Richard and Jeanne Patterson Value: $100

{ 620 } A Taste of Africa Basket
Discover the rich, diverse cooking traditions of Africa in Marcus Samuelsson’s cookbook, The Soul of a New Cuisine. Season a chicken with Ras el-Hanout, a classic Moroccan spice blend. Pour yourself a glass of wine from the Western Cape, South Africa. Brew a cup of organic Ethiopian Peace Coffee or Mma Ramotswe’s red bush tea (rooibos) from South Africa. Nibble some dark chocolate mints from Ghana, and listen to the Putumayo World Music CD of African music. All of the fair-trade items are on display in a handcrafted basket from Uganda. Donor(s): Anne Worrell and Vivian Stuck Value: $150

{ 621 } Custom Order Cake and Ice Cream
Talented pastry chef Erica Hollom will create a birthday or anniversary cake for your next special occasion. You may choose the cake, fillings, icing and special decorations, and she will create an extraordinary dessert for up to 50 guests. Plus, VocalEssence Ensemble Singer Eric Bartlett will make you two quarts of his delicious homemade ice cream. Yum! [Mutually agreed upon date and flavors. Delivery only within the metro area. Expires June 2009.] Donor(s): Erica Hollom; Eric Bartlett Value: $200

{ 622 } Luncheon and Cooking Demonstration
It’s a learning experience and a delightful luncheon all in one at this cooking demonstration for six by Chef Tucker Benson. Chef Benson is the owner and chef of TRE Culinary LLC, which specializes in organizing food and beverage for any and all of your entertaining at home. Having worked through the ranks of several top Twin Cities restaurants, Chef Benson’s mission for TRE Culinary is “sharing our passion one bite at a time.” [Date to be mutually agreed upon.] Donor(s): Chef Tucker Benson Value: $300