Cioppino and Vino raises $35,000 for children’s museum
Cambria Pub and Steakhouse chef Cindy Sassaman, at left, and owner Monica Raethke win the Judges’ Award for best cioppino.
The Paso Robles Children’s Museum held its 6th Annual Cioppino and Vino event last Sunday afternoon and raised over $35,000 for the non-profit. There were approximately 150 guests, and more than a dozen wineries and restaurants in attendance at the fundraiser.
The gala event, held at the Grand Ballroom at the Paso Robles Inn, was a chance for local chefs to compete for the tastiest cioppino in a contest scored by attendees and official judges.
The Judges’ Award for best cioppino of the day went to chef Cindy Sassaman from Cambria Pub and Steakhouse with a saffron-infused broth.
The People’s Choice Award went to chef Gregg Wangard of the Paso Robles Culinary Academy for his cioppino that included crab meat.
Chef Gregg Wangard, at right, celebrates his People’s Choice Award victory.
Other participating chefs and restaurants included Chris Beckett of Fish Gaucho, Nicola Allegretta of Mistura, Andre Averseng of Paso Terra, Christina Averseng of Dining with Andre, Kenneth Toledo of Thomas Hill Organics, Jeffry Wiesinger of Jeffry’s Catering, and Ryan Swarthout of the Paso Robles Inn.
Wineries pouring included Eberle Winery, Ranchita Canyon Vineyard, Tackitt Family Vineyards, Sextant Wines, Ardnt Cellars, Graveyard Vineyards, Broken Earth Winery, Hearst Ranch Winery, Oso Libre, J&J Cellars, Peachy Canyon Winery and wine and cheese pairings by Le Vigne Winery and Zina the Cheese Lady.
A live and silent auction helped raise much-needed funds for the museum’s annual budget. Cioppino and Vino is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Paso Robles Children’s Museum. Pat and Betty Scott, owners of Paso Robles-based off-road lighting company Lazer Star Lights, were the winning bidders for the live auction’s top prize, a week-long stay at luxury villa near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The proceeds help support the museum’s programs and daily operations expenses with over 90 percent of the total revenue going directly back to the museum. The museum is a place for children and their families to spend time and play together in a safe and educational environment.
Executive Director Jennifer Smith thanked all of the restaurants and wineries who generously donate all of their delicious cioppino and wines to the Children’s Museum’s annual fundraiser, and all of the live and silent auction bidders.
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