Next Saturday, November 3, Slow Food South Texas will hold its 2nd annual Harvest Gala and accompanying silent auction.  This year, like last, the funds raised at the Harvest Gala will go to support educational programs, farm dinners, and cooking classes to expose people to the joy of growing, preparing and eating healthy food.

As a local dining blogger, I am a strong advocate of local restaurants, food producers and accessibility to local, healthy food – for everyone.  My favorite Slow Food effort is the cultivation of gardens currently growing at two local schools.  Every two weeks, Slow Food volunteers visit these schools and teach students how to tend a garden and what to do with the garden’s harvest. Teaching children the value of home- or locally-grown healthy food is important to our community’s health, the environment and our local economy.

This year we’re committed to making the Harvest Gala an even bigger success and we are hoping you (or someone you know!) will help by making a donation to our silent auction. In the past, local businesses and individual contributors have generously donated a variety of items for the auction, such as:

• Tickets to local sporting events or shows
• Private in-home cooking lessons
• Gift certificates to local restaurants and shops
• Locally made crafts and works of art
• Passes to local events, amusement parks, or other attractions
• Signed cookbooks

These are just a few examples of suitable silent auction items – we certainly encourage creativity in your support!  Last year’s event sold out and with a strong lineup of local celebrity chefs featured at this year’s gala, the event is sure to be a success.

Confirmed chefs include:

• Michael Sohocki of Restaurant Gwendolyn
• Steve McHugh, formerly of Lüke, currently planning the opening of his own restaurant!
• John Russ of Lüke
• Chad Carey of The Monterey
• Chefs from The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio
• Tim the Girl, Chef and Caterer Extraodinaire
• Joe Dominguez of the SA Food Bank
• Chefs from the Culinary program at The Art Institute
• Plus, more to come!

Visit the Slow Food website to learn more about the organization.  You can find more information on the Harvest gala on the website as well.  If you have additional questions, please reach me via email at sa.palate at gmail.com.