Celebrating Cultural Cuisine Night 2011!

groupcc.jpgMESA’s most spectacular fundraising dinner to date! Check out our slideshow of the evening’s gastronomic feats, farmer presentations, and dancing!

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Last month, MESA celebrated the end of harvest season with our friends, family, supporters, and the 2011 team of global farm Stewards. Thanks to our talented staff and enthusiastic group of volunteers, the evening’s festivities showcased MESA’s commitment to solidifying and expanding our network of sustainable food advocates.

From the tantalizing feast of flavors to the inspiring words of departing Stewards and Host farmers to a hip-swinging salsa band, our guests delighted in celebrating the accomplishments of MESA’s 2011 program. Check out this great blog written by Nelle, founder of ZahZoom Weddings and Parties. Nelle recently learned about MESA’s program and with enthusiasm, contributed a number of outstanding flower arrangements for our dinner.

We started the night off with an eclectic silent auction featuring Bay Area purveyors while guests mingled, sipped on organic wine and nibbled from plates piled high with exotic Thai, Peruvian and Ecuadorian appetizers. After the party moved into the banquet room, we turned our attention to heartfelt Steward presentations and an inspirational keynote speech by UC Berkeley professor Ignacia Chapela. From the smiles and fully bellies, it seemed that everyone enjoyed filling their plates with local ingredients brought to the table by our outstanding chefs and supporting farms and vendors. Check out our program schedule to see our tasty menu and list of generous donors!

ccnightpvalley.jpgMESA was honored to present inaugural Forging Farmers Awards to our host Dennis Dierks of Paradise Valley Farm, Steward alumnus Ruben Quispe and Professor Ignacio Chapela, in recognition of their unparalleled service to training the next generation of sustainable agrarian leaders. Our location in Ghirardelli Square overlooking the San Francisco Bay provided a picturesque backdrop for this special ceremony.

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The celebration culminated with live salsa, Cuban Son and Latin Jazz from the upbeat performance by Viento y Marea. As everyone danced the night away, the MESA family took a deep breath in appreciation of the preceding eight months’ many lessons and triumphs. We’re already looking forward to the next time we can join together to share more feasts, merriment, and inspiration. Thank you to all our guests and supporters who made this a truly extraordinary night.

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Click on the photo above for a link to our Exit Seminar 2011 slide show!