NAPA VALLEY, CA (MAY 2, 2018) – On Saturday, April 28 over 800 wine and food enthusiasts came together at HALL Wines in St. Helena to raise awareness for local charities at the 9th Annual Cabernet Cookoff. The event resulted in $90,000 being donated to non-profit organizations and included 14 Bay Area chefs who teamed up with a charity of their choice to create a dish that paired with HALL’s 2013 Coeur Cabernet Sauvignon. The event was hosted by Vintners’ Craig and Kathryn Hall and was emceed by Natalie Morales, TODAY West Coast Anchor/Host of Access. In total, 4 winners were announced including 2 Peoples’ Choice awards and 2 Judges’ Choice Awards.
Winners of the 2018 HALL Cabernet Cookoff accept winning checks for non-profit organizations of their choice alongside owners Craig and Kathryn Hall, and event emcee Natalie Morales.
“This event is all about helping raise awareness and funds for deserving organizations in our community,” say Vintners’ Craig and Kathryn Hall. “We are beyond thankful to everyone involved – the chef teams, our generous sponsors, volunteers, staff and everyone who attended, bought tickets, and bid on auction lots. Together we raised a record amount of money this year. Participation was stronger than ever and our whole community came out a winner.”
Participating teams included The Grill at Meadowood, One Market, Charlie Palmer Steak, Goose & Gander, Paula LeDuc Catering, Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Amiee D’Maris Events, Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ, Brix, Napa Valley Bistro, Sift, Stark Reality Restaurants, Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, and InterContinental Mark Hopkins.
The Judging panel included 5 notable names including Actress Beth Behrs from the hit CBS show, 2 Broke Girls; Celebrity Chef Duff Goldman from Food Network; Bay Area Sports Hall of Famer and Former San Francisco 49ers Executive, Carmen Policy; Michelin-rated Chef, Ken Frank, La Toque, and Wine Critic Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The Judges’ selected the 2 Judges’ Choice Awards that included the following 2018 winners:
- 2018 Judges’ Choice – First Place
Chef Cary Delbridge – Brix
Dish: Cabernet Braised Beef Short Rib
Charity: Soroptimist International of Vallejo - 2018 Judges’ Choice – Runner Up
Chef Michael Wong – InterContinental Mark Hopkins
Dish: Cabernet BBQ Pork Lollipop
Charity: Grace Cathedral
Attendees were tasked with selecting their favorite dish for the two Peoples’ Choice Awards by using Surface tablets provided by Cabernet Cookoff “Vintner” Sponsor, Microsoft. The two People’s Choice Winners included:
- 2018 People’s Choice – First Place
Chef Daniel Capra – Paula LeDuc Fine Catering
Dish: Beef Kushiyaki
Charity: St. Helena Hospital Foundation - 2018 People’s Choice – Runner Up
Chef Jovani Gava – Galpao Gaucho
Dish: Spicy Picanha
Charity: Napa County Resource Conservation District
Event sponsors include The Microsoft Store at The Village at Corte Madera, Nixon-Peabody, My Office Products, Bright Event Rentals, C.P.A. Valet, ROBB Report, Cypress Grove Cheese, ZICO Coconut Water, Kopari, Signum Architecture, Benefit Marketing, Imprezziv, Almaden, Harvest Sanitation, Private Spring Water, Print Ink, Mark T. Palmer Window Services, LUX Productions, Riedel, Barbier Security and ALKAR
The 10th Annual HALL Cabernet Cookoff will take place on Saturday, April 27th, 2019. Tickets are available now 2019 Cabernet Cookoff. For more information contact us at visit@hallwines.com or 707-967-2626, and follow on social @hallwines #CabernetCookoff
