SOLD OUT SUCCESS

What annual event sells out before the invitations are mailed? BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE'S 15^th Annual Narsai Toast at THE RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL in San Francisco on Friday, April 20, 2007. Started in 1993 as the Narsai Roast, an event in honor of one of its founding board members, NARSAI DAVID, the event hopes to raise over $450,000.00 to support Berkeley Rep’s educational programs and productions.

It seems slightly cruel to talk about an event that you can’t get a ticket to but, hey, maybe next year.

Kirsten Berzon, Special Events Manager, shared the event’s format with us:

5:30 - 7:30: Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 - 10:30: Four-course celebrity chef dinner (AQUA, MICHAEL MINA, ACQUERELLO, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and MR. CHOCOLATE himself, Jacques Torres!), entertainment, Live Auction

Silent Auction features unique hard to find wines, fine dining experiences, art outings, and escape packages in the Bay Area, Wine Country and beyond:

Sample Live Auction lots include (subject to change):

A Gastronomic Experience for 10

at the home of Narsai and Venus David including wine selections from Narsai’s personal cellar

A 7-night stay for up to 10

at L’Ancienne Poste, a magnificent 5,000 square-foot luxury property in the heart of Menerbes, Provence

An Exclusive Celebrity Chef Dinner for 10

prepared by JAN BIRNBAUM at the beautiful Stony Hill Vineyards estate with hosts Willinda and Peter McCrea

Well, I know what I would bid on....Chef Birnbaum is one of our favorites and we still miss his Catahoula Restaurant where we spent many Thanksgivings...