Monday, May 24, 2010

Fun (d) raising success

GIFT's first annual soup-making competition and wine-tasting party was a wonderful success Saturday. Thanks to our kitchen chefs for the fantabulous soups and the remarkable wines served up at the Cascade Winery, we raised nearly $700 which will go toward programming and creating new ways of engagement with the lgbt community.

The atmosphere Saturday afternoon was festive and the winery at 4665 Broadmoor SE was filled with the enticing smells of  homemade soups, as well as some wonderful dishes created by our kitchen chefs. Visitors dropped by each table, peering into soup pots and and grabbing ladles to serve themselves.  Or they clustered in small groups for the wine-tastings of such memorable treats such as the rich and silky red Rossa Grande wine or the decadent raspberry chocolate wine.

There was much laughter as well as full bellies by the end of the day. We expect to have future social events to compliment our issue-driven seminars, community talks, book clubs and speakers. Look here and our facebook page for future events and let us know what events you would like to see.

And just so you know who has bragging rights for the year, kitchen chef Erica DeVries claimed top prize, a beautiful soup mug and plaque in the soup competition with her "pea soup" entry and yours truly claimed second prize with my "savory sausage and spinach soup."
The first place prize for the corporate competitors went to San Chez Bistro with their Chicken Pazoli soup.
Thank you again for all our entrees and we hope to see you again next year for what will be an annual event.