What It Is:

The event will feature over 30 of San Francisco's most renowned chefs and restaurants, with 100 wineries and spirit producers to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event has a superb "Grand Tasting" on Friday, Feb. 23rd, held at One Market Pavilion and Concourse. Each chef picks an example of his best dish to present. There are over 100 wineries and spirit representatives pouring "the good stuff."

In addition, there are private tasting and workshops on Saturday, Feb. 24th throughout the day, held at the beautiful and gracious Palace Hotel.

To cap off the event on Sunday, Feb. 25, is a lavish Champagne and Jazz Brunch held in the famous Garden Court of the Palace Hotel. Judging on last year's event both the selection of food quality was outstanding, along with free flowing Champagne and sparking wine from many important houses.

The Schedule:

Friday, Feb. 23rd, 2001, 8:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., One Market Pavilion and Concourse
"The Grand Tasting" kicks off the weekend with culinary luminaries suchas
Michael Mina ( Aqua), George Morrone ( The Fifth Floor), Herbert Keller
( Fleur de Lys) and Gary Danko ( Restaurant Gary Danko) will feature
tasting from their menus. 100 wines, spirits, and micro brews will be
represented. ( $115 on or before Feb. 9, 2001, $125 thereafter )

Saturday, Feb. 24th, 2001, throughout the day, Palace Hotel,
A series of private tasting and workshops will be conducted.
Included are: "Sushi & Sake"Hands-on sushi making plus lavish lunch.($125)
"And the Winner Is... Part 1" Fine wine walk-around tasting.($45)
"The Wines of Argentina"Anthony Dias Blue leads the tasting.($45)
"The Cheese Course" J.Fletcher gives a memorable course.($65)
"And the Winner Is...Part 2" A tasting of the finest wines.($45)
"Foie Gras Tasting" Tasting of "luxurious" foie gras.($45)

These lively seminars and tasting are not only instructive, but you
get to taste what you are studying, a great value.

Sunday, Feb. 25th, 2001, morning through early afternoon, Palace Hotel.
This not-to-be-missed event held in the legendary Garden Court
in the Palace Hotel features a sumptuous buffet accompanied by
Champagnes and sparkling wines.
Ah, to dine beneath the stained glass domed ceiling to the sounds of
live jazz! ( $75 )

Contact Information:

Tickets are Limited. For further ticket information,

please call: (888) 34-FOCUS.

Mention "Food and Wine Access" when calling!

More Details:

Note: 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. VIP Grand Tasting Preview for VISA card
purchases. ( Purchase your tickets to the Grand Tasting using
VISA, VISA GOLD, VISA PLATIUM or VISA SIGNATURE
card and you will be invited to an exclusive preview one hour
before door ope to the general public.

The Grand Tasting will feature the signiture dishes of:

Philippe Striffeler - ANZU
Michael Mina - AQUA
Daniel Olivella - B44 CATALAN BISTRO
Arnold Eric Wong - BACAR
Loretta Keller - BIZOU
Scott Howard - BLACK CAT
Nancy Oakes - BOULEVARD
Laurent Manique - CAMPTON PLACE
Guy Ferri - COBALT TAVERN
Craig Stoll - DELFINA
Sylvian Portay - DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON
Daniel Patterson - ELISABETH DANIEL
Mark Franz - FARALLON
George Morrone - THE FIFTH FLOOR
Herbert Keller - FLEUR DE LYS
Joseph Manzare - GLOBE
Victor Scargle - GRAND CAFE
David Gingrass & Bridget Batson - HAWTHORNE LANE
Traci des Jardins - JARDINIERE
Jean Alberti - KOKKARI
Roland Passot - LA FOLIE
Chad Callahan - MASA'S
Bradley Ogden & Rabah Abusbaitan - ONE MARKET
Gerald Hirigoyen - PASTIS
John Beardsley - PONZU
Gary Danko - RESTAURANT GARY DANKO
Robert Murphy - RESTAURANT LULU
Scott Newman - RUBICON
Chris Yeo - STRAITS CAFE
Leo San Pedro & Toshio Sekikawa - SUSHI GROOVE
Allison Richman - TANTILLO'S

In addition there are OVER 100 winery and spirit representatives who will be freely pouring wonderful wines and spirits.

Included are Super-Premium French Champagnes:

Charles Heidsieck
Deutz
Mumm
Nicolas Feuillatte
Perrier-Jouet
Piper-Heidsieck
Pommery
Louis Roederer

As well as Wonderful Sparkling Wines:

Cava
Domaine Ste. Michelle
Friezenet USA
Gloria Ferrer
Henri Ablele
Piper-Sonoma
Roederer Estate