WHNetwork Blog

For me, this past week was all about working for love, not money. In a perfect world, everyone would be passionate about their job. But what are you will to do, even if they don't pay you? Either because you love what you are doing that much, or because you are passionate about a cause that you are working for. These are the thing I was willing to do without pay this week:

On Saturday - through coincidence and serendipitous circumstances - I wound up cooking dinner (along with cohort Willy Brooke) for food & wine writer David Latt and his 5 guests, at Villa Andrea, one of the Beautiful Places properties. Besides his own blog, www.menwholiketocook.blogspot.com, David's writing appears on the NY Times and Huffington Post sites, among others.

I had only one day's notice, so really needed to pull it together quickly. Of course I wanted to showcase the local bounty; hmm, what to serve???

Here is what we came up with:

Parmelee Hill 2007 "Darcy" Marsanne/Rousanne & Parmelee Hill 2005 "Block B" Syrah
Thanks Steve Hill!

Tin Barn Vineyards 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County, Bennett Valley, Dry Stack Vineyard &
Tin Barn Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Carneros Sonoma, Ricci Vineyard
Thanks Sandy Maus!

Nicholson Ranch 2007 Pinot Noir, Estate
Thanks Ramona Nicholson!

Loxton Cellars 2005 Syrah, Sonoma Valley
Thanks Chris Loxton!

Menu:

House Smoked Trout on Baguette with Cream Cheese, Cornichons, Shallots, Capers, Grape Tomatoes

Crab Cakes with Garlic-Red Pepper Aioli

Five Lilly Soup with Crispy Leeks

Caesar Salad with Vella Pepato

Duo: Beef Tenderloin and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Syrah - Port Reduction
Truffled Mashed Potatoes Asparagus with Preserved Meyer Lemons and B.R. Cohn Olive Hill Estate Picholine Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Thanks Vallerie Cohn!

Cheese Course with Fresh Fruits, Marcona Almonds and Vella Cheeses: Mezzo Secco, Toma, Jalapeno Jack

Wine Country Chocolates: Cabernet Sauvignon & Port Truffles
Thanks Betty Kelly!

It was such fun to be able to show off some of the bounty of Sonoma to David - we hope he had a great time!

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Next it was time to prepare for the Sonoma Valley Rotary St Patrick's Day Party!

This is one of my club's biggest fund raisers. We sell a maximum of 1000 raffle tickets for $50/each. The winner - draw at our St Patrick's Day Party (open to the public) wins their choice of $10,000 cash or a trip to Ireland for 2.
Cooking a corned beef dinner for 250 is challenging out of a small kitchen! Thanks to a great team of volunteers, the day went smoothly. After cooking all day, it was time for dancing to the Rich Little Band. (Rich and his wife Joan own Little Vineyards)

I am sorry to report that I did not hold the winning raffle ticket! However we did raise quite a bit of money for some great causes, including The Boys & Girls Club, The Education Foundation, The Sonoma Community Center, El Nido Teen Center and more.

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This week we announced that the upcoming WineAndHospitalityNetwork.com "Industry Insider" Events will benefit Vineyard Worker Services.

Vineyard Workers Services is a non-profit which provides farm workers with temporary housing, affordable medical assistance, educational opportunities for their families and emergency services and assistance.

We are excited to be able to partner with a great organization that provides such an important service to our industry and an underserved part of our community.

Upcoming "Industry Insider" Events:

The Hess Collection, Napa, CA, May 28th

Nicholson Ranch Winery, Sonoma, July 27th

Do you have a food product you would like to showcase to 300 industry professionals at an event, as well as receive banner space and ezine recognition?
Call Margie at 707-933-0687 or email Margie@OTLConsulting.com for more info.

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Yesterday I was up at Sam Keen's place working at the Trapeze (one of my passions) for the filming of an 'at risk' youth group coming to learn to fly. It is a gift to be able to give youth facing some serious personal challenges the opportunity to work on issues around fear, trust, control and letting go.

We will be using the film to assist in our fund raising efforts so that we will be able to bring more youth up to experience the flying trapeze.

Do you have an interest in learning to fly?

Check out TrapezePro for info on lessons.

Read Sam Keen's book: Learning to Fly: Reflections on Fear, Trust and the Joy of Letting Go

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So many wonderful things to support, so little time...

What do you support? Tell me what you are passionate about...

-Margie

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Outside of the Beer/wine/spirits industry, I have been a group exercise instructor for many gyms for over 19 years. I don't do it for the money, but because I absolutely love what I do. I spend more on music, outfits, shoes and time than I do getting compensated. I just love to teach and motivate new members. I would also promote certain brands of liquor that I believe in or drink myself. What about you???? Liz

Liz Soliz