Hand to Hand, A Christmas Carol returns
“We are honored that Chef Cat Cora will be participating in Project Open Hand’s 25th Anniversary Hand to Hand Holiday Luncheon,” said Mark Ryle, Project Open Hand CEO, about the December 14 event at the historic Fairmont San Francisco. Along with Cora, the world-renowned first female Iron Chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” POH will honor four community leaders, including Linda Glick, Barbara A. Garcia, Giants Enterprises, and Gilead Sciences, Inc.
“Known for her exuberance and commitment to healthy living through food, Chef Cora shares our passion to nourish and engage the San Francisco and Oakland community, ensuring that all communities throughout the Bay Area have access to healthy nutritious meals,” Ryle said. “Additionally, this year’s honorees exemplify and care deeply about the community, our clients, and our mission to assist them to lead stronger, healthier lives and we are proud to pay tribute to them this year.”
The philanthropic luncheon begins at 11 a.m. with appetizers by local chef Rebecca Jean of Rebecca Jean Catering, light cocktails, specialty drinks, and a raffle are slated from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by the feature entrees and desserts prepared by award-winning local chefs. The notable team includes POH’s Executive Chef Adrian Barrow, Fairmont San Francisco’s Executive Chef Oscar Gonzalez, and The Bread Project’s Pastry Chef Mark Chacon, along with a live auction hosted by renowned auctioneer Abra Annes. In addition to delivering the keynote address, Chef Cora will also prepare one of her signature dishes, Halibut with Pepitas, Capers and Tomates.
“I am thrilled to be delivering the keynote address and cooking at the Hand to Hand Holiday Luncheon,” said Chef Cora. “I love Project Open Hand’s mission, providing meals with love and helping people lead healthier lives. I’m proud to be a part of such a meaningful event.”
Individual tickets are $350 and available for purchase at openhand.org/events or by calling 415-447-2320. For more details, visit openhand.org.
ENTERTAINMENT NOTES. The Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition returns with A.C.T’s A Christmas Carol, featuring a lively cast led by legendary actors James Carpenter as Ebenezer Scrooge and Ken Ruta as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Family-friendly, this Charles Dickens’ treasure is adapted by Carley Perloff and Paul Walsh. Performances kicked off last Friday, December 1 and continue through December 24 at A.C.T’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary Street in San Francisco. Tickets range from $17.50 to $110, with group discounts available. For tickets and more information, call 415-749-2228 or visit www.act-sf.org … New Year’s Eve tickets are on sale now for Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon, San Franicisco’s fun and hilarious pop culture musical revue. The two performances (7 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.) on December 31 feature a pastiche of the best and worst of 2017 a la Beach Blanket Babylon style. Guests at each show will receive champagne and truffles. The second show, which will end at midnight, also features post-show dancing until 1:30 a.m. Tickets range from $65 to $210 and are available by calling 415-421-4222 or visit beachblanketbabylon.com … Once again, the amazing authentic Chinese culture presented by Shen Yun returns to the Bay Area at the end of the month. The performance combines ancient legends with technological innovations, and historically authentic costumes with animated backdrops. They let classical Chinese dance do the storytelling, sharing diverse ethnic and folk traditions that are enhanced by orchestral sound. Four local venues will feature Shen Yun at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose on December 28-30, War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco January 1-7; Sacramento Community Center Theater in Sacramento January 9-10; and Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley January 12-14. For tickets and more information, call 888-633-6999 or visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org.
CAT CORA PHOTO BY PAT JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY