Patisserie Angelica's chocolate truffles, unencombered by other flavors to distract you from the voluptuous point of it all.
In today’s Mouthful, I write about Cake Futures, Patisserie Angelica’s upcoming fete, taking place on June 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m, at Soda Rock Winery. A highlight of the event is the Chocolate Room, with its magnificent chocolate groaning board. If you love chocolate, you should put this event at the top of your to-do list. For tickets, which are $65 each, click here or call 827-7998. And as promised, here are descriptions of the items to be offered during the evening’s live auction. I’ll post silent auction items later today or tomorrow.
Cardinal Sin, Patisserie Angelica's signature flourless chocolate cake, topped with house-made chocolate curls.
The Farmhouse Inn is offering two nights at their wonderful little inn, along with dinner for two. You’ll have chef Steve Litke, wine director Geoff Kruth and pastry chef Patti Taan putting on a wonderful, delicious show for you. If you’ve never treated yourself to a getaway at one of wine country’s most wonderful destinations, this is a great opportunity. It also makes a great gift for loved ones–newlyweds, perhaps–visiting from out of town. The value is $1750.
Who does love chef Mateo Granados? Not only is he a great chef at the top of his game; he’s an absolute sweetheart, with an infectious enthusiasm for all he does with food. In this auction item, you and a number of friends will spend an entire day with him. Expect the day to be delicious, passionate, engaging, informative and intriguing. The value of this item is, of course, priceless.
The McWilliams family is offering an afternoon for you and 9 friends at their Arista Winery. Their chef will prepare yummy nibbles for you and Patisserie Angelica’s own Condra Easley will provide chocolate tasting medallions, made specially to pair with Arista wines. The value of this item is $1400.
If you love to explore farmers markets, this item may be for you. You and up to 9 friends will begin your day foraging at the Sebastopol farmers market. Once you’ve gathered the best ingredients, you’ll make the short walk to Patisserie Angelica for a cooking class, where Condra will teach you how to make perfect crusts and you’ll prepare a number of both sweet and savory tarts using the ingredients you got at the market. The value of this item is $1500 and if you gather up friends in advance, that’s just $150 per person for a rare opportunity to both shop and cook with a French-trained pastry chef.
Need a wedding cake? Condra and her sister, Deborah Morris, will make one for you if you are the top bidder on this item, valued at $1200. You’ll also have a private consultation and cake tasting at their Sebastopol bakery. If you’re planning a wedding, this is a great opportunity to cross one item off your to-do list.
The Fisher Family of Fisher Vineyards is offering a VIP tasting and luncheon for six guests at Madone Grove, located at their Napa Valley estate. Your sumptuous meal will be prepared by Casey Thompson of Bravo’s Top Chef. The opening bid on this item is $600.
Want to host a dinner party but don’t feel like cooking? Chef Christopher Greenwald of Bay Laurel Catering will do it for you if you win this auction item, valued at $1000. Christopher’s style is eclectic, robust, fun and delicious. He’ll come to your home, prepare a three-course feast and finish the evening off with desserts from Patisserie Angelica.
Finally, there’s a Gravenstein Apple Harvest Party, offered by Tara and Ben Sharp of Capture Wines. The party takes place, in part, in the 100-year-old organic apple orchard at their Sebastopol home. A group of Sonoma County cehfs will prepare lunch inspired by apples and accompanied by Bordeaux-style wines. For desset? Apples, of course, prepared by Condra. There’s a saline swimming pool to enjoy if the weather inspire you to do so and kids are welcome at this event. The value? Who can say? I call it priceless.
Capture Sauvignon Blanc; the winery has donated a great auction item to "Cake Futures"