Gala Silent Auction

All proceeds benefit our Seafood Watch program and efforts to transform the seafood market in ways that protect ocean ecosystems. The following is a sampling of tempting auction items:

Jackson Hole Backcountry Adventure

Leave it all behind and explore the exquisite scenery high above Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge. Located in the spectacular wild country around Togwotee Pass on the eastern rim of Jackson Hole, the full-service lodge offers dining, a Western-style saloon and 35 modern guest rooms. Close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the lodge is a beacon for nature lovers and offers opportunities for outdoor adventures year round. This package includes a two-night stay at the Lodge, plus a guided snowmobile tour for two in the rugged backcountry surrounding the lodge.

• Donated by ARAMARK Togwotee Mountain Lodge
• Fair market value: $800

Zephyr Cove Lake Tahoe Getaway

Whether you prefer to relax and enjoy the pristine beauty of Lake Tahoe, or spend the day jet skiing, wakeboarding or hiking, Zephyr Cove Resort is your destination for lakeside fun and leisure. With charming, historic cabins, a mile of private beach and fantastic dining, the resort is the ideal spot for a summertime getaway. This generous package includes a three-night stay at Zephyr Cove Resort with two breakfasts and dinners included, plus a three-hour power boat or jet ski rental. Also included are two tickets on the MS Dixie or Tahoe Queen Dinner Cruise, where you’ll spend an evening on the deep blue waters of the lake, enjoying beautiful mountain vistas, music and an exceptional meal.

• Donated by ARAMARK Togwotee Mountain Lodge
• Fair market value: $1,100

Wine Connoisseur’s Cellar

This item will be offered as a raffle prize with 300 tickets to be sold at $20 each

Creating the space for optimum bottle aging is a challenge for any wine collector. Fluctuations in temperature, light and moisture can adversely affect a prized bottle and result in a wasted investment; not to mention the wasted opportunity to enjoy a much-anticipated vintage. House your collection in a Viking under counter/freestanding wine cellar and release your worries. The 24-inch-wide cellar holds up to 52 standard size bottles and is temperature adjustable from 45-64 degrees. A solid stainless steel door with right hinge offers total UV protection for your collection, and glide out wood front shelving stores wine horizontally for optimum quality control.

• Donated by Viking
• Fair market value: $2,300

Lloyd/Flanders Carmel Collection Outdoor Suite

Enjoy the outdoors in style with this chic patio suite from high-end outdoor furniture designer Lloyd/Flanders. The Carmel Collection is inspired by the storied lifestyle of the community of artists and thinkers on the California coast. Featuring carefully hand-woven vinyl wicker over sturdy aluminum frames, pieces in the Carmel collection will stand up to the elements and remain beautiful for years to come. Creative styling is built on clean, open weaves, while flared legs and subtle design elements add an island feel. Warm earth tones draw the pieces together. The Carmel Collection is perfect for patios, sunrooms, or wherever you'd like to let your inner artist escape. Set includes a sofa, two end tables and two lounge chairs, plus two 22-inch Papaya throw pillows.

• Donated by Lloyd/Flanders and Coastal Living magazine
• Fair market value: $5,885

Carmel Valley Ranch Culinary Escape

Explore the nearly 500 acres of spectacular landscape at Carmel Valley Ranch and enjoy the spectrum of activities this unique resort has to offer. With a Pete Dye championship golf course, tennis courts, bocce ball, swimming pools, hot tubs, an organic garden and vineyard, and a bevy of swings scattered throughout the resort hanging from majestic 300 year old oaks, Carmel Valley Ranch has something for everyone. You’ll enjoy a one-night stay at the Ranch, along with a memorable Eat-Like-a-Chef Dinner prepared by Cooking for Solutions participating chef Tim Wood, who is renowned for creating delectable California-inspired cuisine with local, sustainable ingredients.

• Donated by Carmel Valley Ranch
• Fair market value: $700

Oyster Lovers Party with Bill "The Oyster Man"

Invite your friends for a private oyster shuckin’ good time for 10 with local legend Bill “The Oyster Man.” A science teacher and the owner of Intertidal Aqua Farms, Inc., Bill will come to your home and bring 10 to 15 dozen oysters, an oyster bar, four different sauces, horseradish and wasabi, lemons, limes and hot sauces. He’ll open the oysters for you and your guests and tell stories about the oysters, oyster farming and his more than 30 year career as an oyster farmer, teacher and caterer. A dynamic storyteller, Bill has a degree in Oceanography and has grown seafood in almost every bay in California. He currently teaches at Watsonville High School where his students have built and operate a commercial catfish farm at the high school. This is a party that you and your friends won’t soon forget.

• Donated by Intertidal Aquafarms, Inc./Bill The Oyster Man
• Fair market value: $400

Romantic Monterey Getaway for Two

Stay with your sweetheart at one of the Monterey Peninsula’s most romantic destinations, the Spindrift Inn. In 2011 The Spindrift was awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award “Most Romantic” hotel in the United States for the second year in a row. Perched on the edge of Monterey Bay, the hotel boasts beautifully appointed European-style guestrooms with wood-burning fireplaces, feather beds and mini-bars, as well as a lengthy list of amenities. This romantic package includes a one-night stay in an ocean-view guestroom and a complimentary bottle of Scheid sparkling wine.

• Donated by The Spindrift Inn
• Fair market value: $435

Hip Weekend Away on Monterey

Explore the best of what the Monterey Peninsula has to offer with this fun, stylish package. Stay for a night at the trendy, modern Intercontinental The Clement, situated on the shoreline of Monterey Bay. Enjoy breakfast for two at stylish C Restaurant and free admission for two to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. After enjoying the Aquarium’s award-winning exhibits and programs, finish your day with dinner for two and a beer tasting at cool local hangout, Cannery Row Brewing Company.

• Donated by the Intercontinental The Clement, Cannery Row Brewing Company and Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Fair market value: $550

Evening Sail and Aquarium Adventure

Bring your friends for an exciting adventure that showcases the best of Monterey Bay, both above and below the water line. Start your day with a private behind-the-scenes tour for six of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and watch our staff members feed some of your favorite animals. Then enjoy lunch in our restaurant, featuring menus created by lauded Napa Valley chef Cindy Pawlcyn. Your group will end the day by boarding the Derek M. Bayliss for a spectacular evening Wine and Cheese Sail on Monterey Bay. Guided by an Aquarium naturalist, you’ll look for dolphins, seals, whales and sea birds as you sip wine and watch the sun set on one of the world’s most beautiful marine sanctuaries.

• Donated by Monterey Bay Aquarium and ARAMARK
• Fair market value: $950

Le Creuset Cookware Essentials

No cook’s kitchen is complete without Le Creuset. The enameled cast iron cookware is used by chefs around the world and is perfect for browning, braising, baking and sauces. This essential set in the fresh new eye-catching Fennel color includes a large rectangular roaster; iron handle skillet; iron handle precision pour saucepan; braiser; 6.75-quart oval French oven and 4.5-quart round French oven. Renowned for quality of craftsmanship, your Le Creuset pieces will last for generations to come.

• Donated by Le Creuset
• Fair market value: $1,110

Barbecue and Wine Lovers’ DIY Kit

Make Memphis and Kansas City pit masters green with envy when you serve smoky ribs, juicy brisket and mouthwatering chicken made in your new Big Green Egg barbecue. This popular, high-end ceramic barbecue can be used as a smoker, grill or an outdoor oven and offers superior temperature control, fuel efficiency and ease of use. Your Fetzer branded Big Green Egg will come fully loaded with accessories, plus an assortment of Fetzer wines; the perfect combination for a gourmet backyard soiree or wine country barbecue picnic.

• Donated by Fetzer Vineyards
• Fair market value: $700

Los Angeles Zoo Family Adventure

A perfect excuse for a family getaway in sunny Southern California, you’ll get to know amazing animals with a one-year Family Membership to the Los Angeles Zoo. Membership includes unlimited admission for two adults and their kids or grandkids for a full year, plus newsletters, additional discounts and access to special events. Included in this very special package is a VIP docent-led cart tour for four of the zoo and botanical gardens and a basket of animal-themed prizes such as exotic Mr. Ellie Pooh paper, a children’s book, and a variety of plush toys.

• Donated by The Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
• Fair market value: $160, plus priceless tour

Jaipur "Schooled" Rug

Part of the Coastal Living Collection by Jaipur Rugs, "Schooled" is a whimsical and stylish rug with a playfully scaled pattern. The 5’x8’ hand-tufted rug in Pastel Blue is made of 100 percent hand-spun New Zealand wool. Beautiful and durable, “Schooled” will bring a contemporary beach bungalow feel to any environment.

• Donated by Jaipur Rugs and Coastal Living magazine
• Fair market value: $620

Jaipur "Sand Dollar" Rug

Inspired by the pages of Coastal Living magazine, this durable indoor-outdoor rug has a lighthearted sand dollar pattern in neutral dark ivory. Hand-hooked and constructed for easy care, this stylish 7.6’-by-9.6’ floor art will add a touch of seaside style to any multi-use space. With special UV-stabilized construction, "Sand Dollar" will look beautiful for years indoors or out.

• Donated by Jaipur Rugs and Coastal Living magazine
• Fair market value: $800

Delta Addison® Faucet with Touch2O® Technology

Form and function unite in this deluxe faucet from one of the country’s top faucet brands. Delta’s Addison® features graceful curves and adds stylish beauty to any kitchen décor. With Touch2O® Technology it doesn’t matter if you have two full hands or 10 messy fingers, tap anywhere on the spout or handle and the water runs!

• Donated by Delta Faucet
• Fair market value: $378

Seafood Lovers’ Gift Basket

The best from Vital Choice! A $100 gift certificate for Vital Choice products, plus 24 cans of skinless/boneless 2010 Fraser River Sockeye Salmon, caught by reef-net gear off the shores of Lummi Island in Washington State and carefully custom-packed for the most delectable canned salmon imaginable. We’ve added an assortment of premium traditional canned salmon, albacore tuna, Ventresca, Dungeness crab, sardines, and mackerel. All sustainably harvested, of course!

• Donated by Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics
• Fair market value: $420

Riedel Decanter

Made of mouth-blown glass in Riedel’s Kufstein, Austria factory, the Medoc decanter’s elegant lines and carefully crafted shape is a welcome addition to any wine lover’s table.

• Donated by Riedel The Wine Glass Company
• Fair market value: $435

2012 Earth Day Food and Wine Festival Package

Celebrate Earth Day with a weekend of sustainably produced food and wine in beautiful Santa Margarita, California. Get two general admission tickets to the 2012 Earth Day Food and Wine Festival and enjoy barrel tastings, cooking demonstrations, live music and vineyard tours. Package includes admission to one of the weekend activities and a bottle of SIP Certified Sustainable wine.

• Donated by SIP Certified Sustainable Wines
• Fair market value: $250

Sustainable Salmon Feast for a Crowd

Gather your friends and get ready for a feast because the winner of this delicious bid will get a 20-pound case of wild Alaska salmon delivered directly to their door. Wild Alaska salmon is a Seafood Watch “Best Choice,” and with a bounty like this the cooking options are almost endless. Host an elegant soiree with poached salmon as a main course, or throw a fun outdoor grill-a-thon with your salmon-loving friends and share how delicious sustainability can be.

• Donated by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
• Fair market value: $250

Earthbound Farm Bounty Basket

This over-the-top gift basket is filled with produce, treats, a cookbook, gear and a gift certificate--all from Cooking for Solutions lead sponsor, Earthbound Farm. Grounded in the heritage and commitment of organic farming, Earthbound Farm has become a pioneer in the mainstreaming of organic food. Today, Earthbound Farm products provide an organic choice in grocery stores throughout the country. The company has been a longtime supporter of Cooking for Solutions.

• Donated by Earthbound Farm
• Fair market value: $250

San Jose Sharks Night

Cheer on the Sharks with four tickets to a 2011-2012 regular season game, and enjoy an exclusive pre-game guided behind-the-scenes tour, including the press box. Then spend a night for two at the luxurious Hotel Valencia at nearby Santana Row and enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of Sharks territory.

• Donated by the San Jose Sharks and Hotel Valencia.
• Fair market value: $775