Menu For Hope III Update: More Celebrity Chef Prizes!

Did you see?

Today, we’ve reached the $15,000 mark and the auction’s just begun! To sweeten the pot, there may be a special surprise from me I’ll be adding in the future, so keep an eye on things around here…

In case you missed them, a few brand-new prizes were added to the European prize list:

One is a Country Lunch at the home of cookbook author Susan Loomis, at her home On Rue Tatin. The other is a special gift from pal Gale Gand, host of Sweet Dreams on the Food Network.

But wait, there’s more!…How about a full-day gastronomic tour of Barcelona, one of the hottest culinary destinations in the world?

You can find more information just after the jump. Be sure to check some other new prizes that’ve been added at other auction hosts as well.

Big thanks for all of you who’ve donated and participated in this important auction. It’s very gratifying to see such an outpouring of support for all our hard work. And speaking of hard work, I’ll shortly be writing up a report here about my No-Knead mis-adventures, for those of you following my flour-driven drama.

Country Lunch From Susan Loomis, On Rue Tatin

Come to Normandy and enjoy a luxurious, three-hour country lunch prepared by and enjoyed with Susan Herrmann Loomis, proprietor of On Rue Tatin, Susan’s exclusive cooking school located just one hour from Paris. Susan will greet you with an aperitif which you will enjoy either in the courtyard or in Susan’s gorgeously appointed kitchen.

You will then retire to the 15th century timbered dining room for a relaxed meal prepared with the finest local, seasonal ingredients, and accompanied by small production wines and local cheeses. This is truly an unforgettable experience and a terrific way to experience life in the French countryside, in the famous kitchen On Rue Tatin, of cookbook author Susan Loomis. Offer valid through December 2007.
(Prize EU33)

Signed Chef Jacket from Food Network’s Gale Gand

Gale Gand host of Food Network’s Sweet Dreams is offering a signed chef’s jacket that she wore on her television program. In addition, Gale is the executive pastry chef at Tru restaurant in Chicago and was named ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’ by the James Beard Foundation in 2001. This jacket is bound to be a collector’s item.

Gale, who trained in Paris at La Varenne is a honorary Parisian, and her latest book, Chocolate & Vanilla will be featured on this site next month along with her scrumptuous recipes for all things chocolate…and vanilla too! Wear this jacket yourself, while whipping up some of her fabulous pastries!
(Prize EU34)

Gastronomic Tour of Barcelona with Silly Disciple

Come along on a full-day tasty tour of Barcelona!
You’ll start early in the morning with breakfast in the famous Mercat de Sant Josep de La Boqueria, followed by a walk through the market. Then visit the Barri Gothic, the old neighborhood next to the Ramblas, where there’s a few hidden gems, like a cozy little cheese shop, an all-sausage store and an old coffee and nut roasting house. Hopefully the walk will whet your appetite because Silly Disciple himself will treat you to lunch at his favorite tapas and montaditos bar…with a particular twist!

After lunch you can decide to take a nap like the locals, or keep on moving and visit a wine store, pastry shop, chocolate factory (depending on availability the day of the visit), one of the 40-something markets in Barcelona, a classic “Colmado”, and quite a few other delicious options in this amazing culinary city.

Visit his site, Silly Disciple, for details and availability.
(Prize EU35)

Also…just added is a complete Blog Makeover from Bluebird Blogs as part of the new header design from Lobstersquad, prize EU29…so this is your chance to perk up that tired ‘ol blog in 2007!