Get ready for Star Chefs & Vintners Gala in San Francisco

It's time to pull out that glittery cocktail dress or bespoke dark suit to mingle with celeb chefs, stuff yourself silly with gourmet food and drink, and help a worthwhile cause.


The 23rd Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala is the place to be on May 16, when more than 70 top Northern California chefs will converge on Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion, a short hop from the Fairmont Heritage Place.


Chef Nancy Oakes of the esteemed Boulevard restaurant in San Francisco returns as gala chef chairperson, to enlist the culinary skills of such chefs as Mourad Lahlou (of Aziza in San Francisco), Staffan Terjer (of Perbacco in San Francisco), Richard Reddington (of Redd in Yountville), and Chris Cosentino (of Incanto in San Francisco).


More than 75 leading vintners also will be pouring wines, including J Vineyards and Frog's Leap Winery.


The evening starts with a walk-around reception, featuring delights at stations manned by more than 30 chefs and vintners. Afterward, enjoy a three-course, sit-down dinner, with each of your courses prepared by one of the 27 different chefs in the kitchen.


In between, bid on items at both a silent and live auction. Items up for bids include cooking classes with celebrity chefs, a 10-day Mediterranean cruise, and a party at a luxury penthouse in Sun Valley, Idaho with food prepared by Oakes.


This event is the largest fundraiser for Meals on Wheels San Francisco, which provides meals for home-bound seniors.


Tickets are $400 each. For more information, call (415) 343-1280.


-- Carolyn Jung of FoodGal


[Photo courtesy of Nancy Oakes]