Project MANA - A Hunger Relief Agency

North Lake Tahoe Bonanza:  On behalf of Project MANA's Board of Director's and staff I would like to thank Tahoe Mountain Club, Florian's Fine Wines, Uncorked, and the Pour House for collaborating on the fifth annual Holiday Cooking Demonstration. The event, hosted by Tahoe Mountain Club and organized by Kendra Murphy and Jeanne Kirschner, was held on Dec. 9 at the Coyote Moon Golf Course Clubhouse. Following delectable appetizers provided by Northstar Catering and Florian's, some of our region's most talented chefs shared their expertise and helped raise over $18,000 with ticket sales and a live auction. Mark Estee, of Moody's and board president for Project MANA, acted as the master of ceremony for the event. Chefs David Lutz (Tahoe Mountain Club), Billy McCullough (Dragonfly), Guy Frenette (Moody's), Bill Arnoff (Pianeta), Jay Verrege (Big Water Grill), and Michael Plapp (Pacific Crest) demonstrated various exotic courses for a first class experience. Once again it was one of the best events of the year with six courses of delicious, mouth watering food. Hosts Debbie Casey, Jeanne Kirschner, and Kendra Murphy made everyone feel right at home. The serving staff did an excellent job. A special thank you to musicians Ben Martin and Crystal Craig for serenading the diners, to auctioneers extraordinaire Jim Simon and Jim Porter, and to sponsors Alpine Meadows, Alsco, Arrow Financial Services, ART-Active Release Techniques, Big Mack Charters, Black Tie Ski, Blue Onion, Boreal Mountain Resort, Bradbury's, Brent Collinson, Channel 6, D'Andrea, Diversified Systems Int'l, Edgewood, Event Masters, Fifty-Fifty, Flash Photography, Full Belly Deli, High Camp Food, Ice Lakes Lodge, Julie Young, KTKE, Leslie Wagner, Lost Trail Lodge, Merry Maids, Mountain Massage, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Purchasing Solutions, Reno Runs, Resort at Squaw Creek, Resort Supply, River Ranch, Royal Gorge, Safeway, Scraps, Sierra Sun, Skin Rejuvenation, Southern Wine, Squaw Valley USA, Stirrings, Suddenlink, Sugar Bowl, Switchback Marketing, Sysco, Tahoe Adventure Co., Tahoe Telephone Directories, Tango Beads, The Tahoe House, TIP Printing, Truckee Donner Chamber, Truckee River Rafting Co., Truckee Tahoe Kennels, Truckee Tahoe Lumber Co., Village at Squaw, and Wild Thyme Catering.

Everyone had a great time and left with a handy recipe book for recreating the courses presented that evening. It was the perfect way to bring in the holidays.