Good to Eat

(600)   Paella Dinner for 8 with Chef Hector Ruiz from El Meson

Donor/s: Judy Lund, David Duddingston & Clayton Halunen; El Meson Bistro and owners Erin Ungerman and Chef Hector Ruiz
The winners of this package will be treated to an incredible Paella dinner for up to 8 guests prepared for you by El Meson Bistro owner Erin Ungerman and owner and chef Hector Ruiz. Your hosts for the evening will be Judy Lund, and David Duddingston and Clay Halunen in their historic home at 7 Heather Place in St. Paul. Built in 1910, this Elizabethan inspired Tudor has been featured in local and national publications and television and will be a perfect setting for a spectacular evening!

 

(601)   Dinner for 2 with Restaurant Critic Rick Nelson

Donor/s: Rick Nelson

You'll be entertained, enlightened and educated about every morsel as you enjoy your dinner for 2 with Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson.

 

(602)   Marcelita's Cookies Gift Basket

Donor/s: Marcelita's Cookies

1 dozen of Marcelita's Cookies (Gift Box), 1 pound of Marcelita's Gourmet Coffee Beans, a Marcelita's Hand-made pottery coffee mugs, 6 Marcelita's cookies party favors. Marcelita's cookies are a tastefully delicious Hispanic gourmet gift. Delight your friends, family and customers with a gift of our family recipe and the beautiful Hispanic packaging design.

 

(603)   Tour and Tasting at Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Hastings

Donor/s: Nan Bailly

Enjoy a wine tour and tasting for 8-10 guests at Bailly Vineyards in Hastings with owner - Nan Bailly. http://www.abvwines.com/about.htm

 

(604)   Fiesta in a Box

Donor/s: Coleman Mason Events

A basket of Mexican goodies including tequila, margarita mix, edible Mexican treats, and other Fiesta surprises!

 

(605)   Tour of Chef Tim McKee's Restaurants

Donor/s: Minnesota Monthly, Barrio

Too much of a good thing? Never with Tim McKee, recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Midwest Chef in 2009. Enjoy dinner at three of Tim's restaurants in the Twin Cities: La Belle Vie, Solera, and Barrio.

 

(606)   VIP Dinner for 4 at The Mill City Whitney Lofts

Donor/s: Hopkins/Baumann

A Saturday evening dinner for 4 on the Mississippi at Whitney Lofts. Graphic designers and amateur cooks Mary K. Baumann and Will Hopkins will prepare a menu of local food in what was once the turbine room of the original Mill in Minneapolis. Your hosts are Mark Wheat, DJ on MPR's The Current, his wife ceramic artist Maren Kloppmann, and Philip Brunelle and his wife Carolyn, also a studio artist. The renovated Hopkins' Baumann loft has been widely published in venues such as The New York Times and Mpls/St. Paul Magazine.

 

(607)   Scotch Lover's Collection

Donor/s: Vinocopia Wine & Spirits/International Beverage Co.

The Scotch lovers dream! Enjoy a 750 ml bottle each of: Deanston 12 year unchill filtered, Bunnahabhain 12 year, Bunnahabhain 18 year, Tobermory 15 year and LeDaig 10 year.

 

(608)   5 Course Tasting for 2 at La Belle Vie

Donor/s: La Belle Vie

Enjoy a 5 course tasting menu for 2 at La Belle Vie prepared for you by Chef Tim McKee, Executive Chef/Owner, winner of the 2009 James Beard Award "Best Chef Midwest." Zagat review highlights -- "Polish," "sophistication," "impeccable" service and "world-class" preparations that are truly "delicious balancing acts" -- are the hallmarks of this refined Loring Park dining establishment.

 

(609)   Food Flavor and Penzey's Spice Presentation for 6

Donor/s: Glenn and Kartra Kohl; John M. Bradley

Taste and learn how to enhance, manipulate and boost the flavors of your foods naturally utilizing our delightful Farmer's Markets. Explore how to work with, care for, and store spices and herbs. Presented by John Bradley of Penzey's Spices.  Hosted by Kartra and Glenn Kohl in their home - downtown Minneapolis.  For six people.

 

(610)   Dessert of the Month by VocalEssence Board of Directors

Donor/s: VocalEssence Board of Directors

 

Each month, a different  member of the VocalEssence Board of Directors delivers a new dessert to your doorstep! See the entire list of delights on this page.

 

(611)   Byerly's Custom Wine Pairings Experience for 4

Donor/s: Lunds & Byerly’s
Enjoy the ultimate wine pairing experience for 4 at Byerly's St. Louis Park. Our experts will work with you to custom create an evening filled with wine and cheese.

Prepare for an amazing evening filled with epicurean education, unique wines and distinctive cheeses hosted by our experts. Each guest takes home an individual gift basket.

 

(612)   Dinner for 4 at the Kitchen Table of Vincent

Donor/s: Vincent - A Restaurant

Chef Vincent Francoual cordially invites you and 3 guests to enjoy an exclusive and private dinner at the kitchen table of Vincent - A Restaurant.

 

(613)   Dine with Dara - MN Monthly Restaurant Critic

Donor/s: Minnesota Monthly

Dine with Minnesota Monthly's restaurant critic, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, as she reviews one of the Twin Cities newest eateries. The 4-time winner of the James Beard Award for food writing will provide you with insights into the craft of restaurant reviewers.

 

(614)   Tex-Mex Barbeque for 12

Donor/s: James Ramlet

Want the barbecue to come to your backyard? James Ramlet, member of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and Guthrie Theater actor, will bring his famous barbecue skills and equipment to your home and stir up fixins' for a party of 12.

 

(615)   Margarita Party Pack for 4

Donor/s: Alan and Dorene Wernke

Enjoy all the fixins' for your very own margarita party - a pitcher plus 4 festive margarita glasses, margarita mix, rimming salt and tequila! Cool down on a hot summer day - Mexico is close at hand - ole!

 

(616)   Minneapolis Restaurant Tour

Donor/s: Minnesota Monthly

Take a culinary tour of Minneapolis and become your own restaurant critic with dinner at 3 excellent Minneapolis eateries. This package includes dinner certificates at Restaurant Max, Mission Restaurant and OM Restaurant.

 

(617)   Basket of Mexican Goodies

Donor/s: Consul of Mexico, Ana Luisa Fajer

Enjoy a basket with traditional Mexican treats including gourmet coffee and delicious tequila, hand picked for you by the Consul of Mexico Ana Luisa Fajer.

 

(618)   Brunch Club Starter Pack

Donor/s: Minnesota Monthly

Start your own club with our Brunch Club Starter Pack. This package includes 5 - $100 gift certificates each to a different brunch time hot spot. Includes certificates to Taher Dining Services (incl. Wayzata Eatery, Alaska Eatery, Nordeast Eatery or Forepaughs), Joe’s Garage, Lola’s Lakehouse, the Afton House and the Good Earth!

 

(619)   Border Battle Beer Tasting with a Beer Expert

Donor/s: Doug Hoverson

Minnesota beer writer Doug Hoverson will treat your party of up to 16 people to a comparison of the brewing histories of Minnesota and Wisconsin and to a taste test between several of the fine beers made in each state today.

 

(620)   Sushi Feast at Fuji Ya

Donor/s: Kruskopf Coontz Advertising, Minnesota Monthly

Be sure to reserve a private zashiki for the sushi feast you will have! This package includes $300 worth of gift certificates to Fuji Ya Restaurant. Fuji Ya is Minneapolis's first Japanese restaurant. They have received numerous awards and accolades over their 50-year history.

 

(621)   Dessert at Cafe Latte

Donor/s: Cafe Latte
Enjoy one whole dessert from Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.