Great food, great wine, great times at gala

BREAD & BUTTER

Huey Lewis returns as the Great Chefs & Wineries’ honorary chair. PHOTO BY DREW ALTIZER

Table Culture Provisions will participate in this year’s Great Chefs & Wineries gala. PHOTO BY ANDO CAULFIELD FOR DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

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By Leanne Battelle

IJ correspondent

Explore a diverse spread from leading Bay Area chefs, restaurants, vintners and artisans at the 35th annual Great Chefs & Wineries gala from 5:30 to 11 p.m. April 5 at the Festival Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco.

Presented by Lifehouse, a Marin-based nonprofit that provides lifelong services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Marin, San Francisco and Sonoma counties, the occasion is equal parts indulgent feast and celebration of local food, wine and craft beverages.

Rock legend Huey Lewis, a longtime supporter of the organization, returns as honorary chair alongside culinary host chef Heidi Krahling of Insalata’s in San Anselmo, who calls it a “first-class event with the best chefs in the county and beyond.”

Start the night in the “wine and dine room” with a bountiful spread of small plates and a curated selection of wine, beer and spirits to sample.

Participating restaurants and chefs from Marin include Buckeye Roadhouse; The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina; Corner Bar; Copita Tequileria y Comida; Burmatown; Cucina; Hog Island Oyster Co., The Board Room; Il Davide, Insalata’s; Petite Left Bank; Left Bank Brasserie; Perry’s; Sushi Ran; Poggio Trattoria; Cerri Catering; and chef Mariko Wilkinson of West Bound & Found.

Bar Sprezzatura, Bombay Brasserie, EPIC Steak, Mersea, Tadich Grill and Yank Sing from San Francisco and Sonoma County’s Perkins Catering Co. round out the lineup.

In addition to pours from nearly 25 wineries, drinks will be provided by Sausalito Liquor Co., Alamere Spirits, Stillwater Spirits, Fort Point Beer Co., Red Whale Coffee and The Republic of Tea, with martinis by Marin IJ columnist Jeff Burkhart and cocktail accompaniments from King Floyd’s Bar Provisions.

At 7:30 p.m., the evening continues in the ballroom with desserts from Amelie; Emporio Rulli; Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato; Kate’s Single Batch Toffee; Nick the Greek; Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.; Table Culture Provisions; and Woodlands Market.

Live music will be performed by popular pop and soul party band Pride & Joy SF, followed by a performance by individuals supported by Lifehouse.

A virtual auction runs from noon March 27 to 9 p.m. April 4 and features wine, jewelry, art, golf, restaurants and more. On April 5, guests can raise a paddle for high-end getaways and luxury packages from around the world.

Lifehouse was founded in 1954 by a group of parents seeking special education opportunities for their children. Proceeds from the evening help the organization continue its mission to provide compassionate assistance and inclusive community services to the more than 360 individuals it serves.

The black-tie-optional event takes place at 2 Marina Blvd. in San Francisco. To purchase individual tickets ($500), sponsor a table ($6,000 to $25,000) or donate to the silent or live auctions, visit greatchefsandwineries.org or call 415-526-5300. For more about Lifehouse, visit lifehouseagency.org.

Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with comments and find more local food news at therealdealmarin.com.