Eater SF: Hangover Observations: Taste of the Nation

Hangover Observations: Taste of the Nation
Monday, April 7, 2008

This is Hangover Observations, where we share our thoughts on last night, the night that was.

Last night, superstar chefs from near and far rubbed elbows with fans and other charity-minded folk at Share Our Strength's 17th annual Taste of the Nation. With all proceeds going straight to SOS, the sold-out $250/ticket event was held at the Acme Chophouse, and the way the Giants' season is going, it was likely the biggest assembly of talent that will grace the building all year, and for a good cause at that. The entire shindig was graciously hosted by Traci Des Jardins, who pretty much led the way in bringing all types of big names on board. A cocktail/hors d'oeuvres reception kicked off the event with a silent auction, followed by a live auction and a five-course menu prepared by Des Jardins, Michael Symon, Chris Cosentino, Gavin Kaysen (Cafe Boulud), and Elizabeth Falkner. Here then, some observations:

1) Prior to the event, we received more than a few emails spotting best buds Symon and Cosentino cavorting all about town on Saturday, from the farmers' market to a romantic sunset stroll down in Kuletoville. For the evening affair, Cosentino roasted an entire goat.

2) Notable news of the night: anticipated Master of Ceremonies Tyler Florence backed out at the last second, leaving the ~~event~~ charity event sans a true replacement (dude, it's charity) and reinforcing our working theory that Florence is, well, really more of a call girl.

3) Fact: Scott Feldman, the man who fancies himself the Ari Gold of the restaurant industry, somehow topped his outfits at the SoBe Festival with the following ensemble: bright purple tie, pea green vest, navy blazer.

4) Top Chef was definitely in the house, with this season's local cheftestants creating an insta-crowd among fans in the dining room. Naturally, Ryan was a hit with the young, photo-happy ladies, and someone assured Erik that his corn dogs at Circa are indeed really good.

5) Fact the second: an hour into the silent auction, the most-bid-on item was not the trip to Wine Country, the dinner/hotel stay at the Fifth Floor, the opera/seven-courser at Aqua, but the tasting menu dinner at Waterbar. How's that for a temperature check of the city's dining scene?

6) Another surprise: Marcia missed the cocktail hour?

7) The collective charm of the Top Chef foursome paid off big time in the live auction, as a private dinner prepared by the four sold twice for $12K each. But that wasn't the big item of the night: thanks to Des Jardins, a spontaneous auction item of dinner prepared at the winner's home by all of the Iron Chefs went for $26K. Take a bow, TCD.

8) Again, 100% of the proceeds went to charity, which is good. Further ways to get involved with Share Our Strength—including donations, restaurant opportunities and sponsorships—are available online.
· Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation [Official Site]
· EventWatch: Star Chefs Galore at Taste of the Nation [~ESF~]

Filed under SF: SoMa, Top, Chris Cosentino, Elizabeth Falkner, Erik Hopfinger, Michael Symon, Ryan Scott, Taste Of The Nation, Top Chef, Traci Des Jardins

Email this post to a friend

Comments feed for this post

Comments ( extant)

All set here? Continue enjoying Eater SF...
« 'BucksWire | Home

www.flickr.com

More photos in Eater SF

Links
Utility
AOL CityGuide
Burritoeater
Citysearch
CleanScores
Dodgeball
Menupages
OpenTable
outside.in
Savory SF
SF Station
SocialDomain
Urbanspoon
Yelp
Zagat

Print Media Online
7x7
Bon Appetit
Contra Costa Times
Gourmet
Oakland Tribune
San Jose Mercury
San Francisco
SF Bay Guardian
SF Chronicle
SF Examiner
SF Weekly
Saveur
Sunset Magazine

Gastro-Communitites
Chow
Chowhound
Digesty SF
eGullet
Mouthfuls
ShamelessRestaurants

Blogs
Amateur Gourmet [RSS]
Bay Area Bites [RSS]
Becks & Posh [RSS]
Beer Blog
Between Meals [RSS]
Bits and Bites [RSS]
Burritophile [RSS]
Chez Pim [RSS]
Gourmet's Choptalk [RSS]
Covers [RSS]
Daily Feed [RSS]
NYT Diner's Journal [RSS]
eggbeater [RSS]
Epi-Log [RSS]
Gridskipper SF [RSS]
Chow's The Grinder [RSS]
GrubGirl [RSS]
A Hamburger Today [RSS]
JATBAR [RSS]
Megnut [RSS]
Metroblogging SF [RSS]
F&W's Mouthing Off [RSS]
NTF: San Francisco
Offal Good [RSS]
Restaurant Whore [RSS]
Ruhlman [RSS]
SFist [RSS]
Slice [RSS]
Vinography [RSS]
Waiter Rant [RSS]
Zagat Buzz [RSS]

Newsletters
Daily Candy
Juli B
Tablehopper
Thrillist

About Eater SF
From the newest temples of haute cuisine to the oldest bars in the Bay Area, Eater SF has you covered. More about Eater SF...

Tipping Is Customary
Know about a restaurant opening or closing in your neighborhood, or other SF restaurant gossip? Do let us know.