Bay for the Gulf - a food and wine event

Marking the 6-month anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster that devastated the Gulf of Mexico and the surrounding wetlands, Event Chair Guillaume Bienaimé and Bay for the Gulf are bringing together top restaurants, artisans and wineries to raise funds for the Save Our Gulf initiative of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Proceeds from the event will support the seven Waterkeeper organizations of the Gulf Coast. Bay for the Gulf, a food and wine gala featuring unparalleled cuisine and fine beverages, will be held on Sunday, October 24 at the Rosewood Sand Hill at 2825 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

More than a dozen chefs, artisans and wineries will participate in this culinary event, including Marché, Madera, Manresa, Andante Dairy, Aziza, Prima Sausage, Pastry Chef Carl Swanson (Ubuntu) and Baia Nicchia Farms. Guests will enjoy fine wine selections from Varner Wines, Ridge Vineyards, Cobb, Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, Beltramos, Talley, Schloss Gobelsburg, Miner Family and Coterie Cellars.

In addition to food, wine and drinks, the event will include a silent auction featuring lots with airline tickets, rare wines and dining experiences. Guests of honor will include Tracy Kuhns and Michael Roberts, both Louisiana Bayoukeepers, and Casi Callaway, Executive Director and Baykeeper of Mobile Baykeeper. The event is sponsored by the San Francisco Baykeeper.

Bienaimé founded Bay for the Gulf after numerous conversations with Pietro Paravanno, a local fisherman and president of the Institute for Fisheries Resources, in which he learned shocking details about the seriousness of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Having recently visited Louisiana and the peaceful, pristine bayous, Bienaimé felt a personal connection and deep concern for the future of the Gulf and the people who live and work along its shores. Bienaimé immediately thought of the Rosewood as the perfect venue for this event and is grateful for the Hotel's Executive Chef Peter Rudolph's support and participation.

"The oil spill forever changed this unique eco-system, and way of life for so many who live in the bayous and surrounding areas. For many families who rely on the waters of the Gulf as their means of survival, it's crucial that everything that can be done to clean up the area is done," said Bienaimé. "The Bay for the Gulf gala, with the collaboration of the amazing chefs, wineries and restaurants that are participating, is a way for those of us in the Bay Area to show support for the people working day and night to clean up this mess."

Proceeds will be distributed to the Save Our Gulf fund, an initiative of Waterkeeper Alliance, to support the seven Gulf Coast Waterkeepers directly impacted by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. These include Apalachicola Riverkeeper, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Emerald Coastkeeper, Galveston Baykeeper, Louisiana Bayoukeeper, Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper, and Mobile Baykeeper. Find more information at www.saveourgulf.org.

Tickets for Bay for the Gulf are $150.00 and can be purchased by visiting www.bayforthegulf.com.