Featuring Napa superstars Rob and Maria Helm Sinskey, of Robert Sinksey Vineyards. These Napa pioneers have become the darlings of wine critics throughout the United States and great favorites of the Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic. Pairing up with the Sinskeys for our auction dinner will be special guest chef Zach Bell of the internationally famous Café Boulud in Palm Beach. Boulud will collaborate with Jeffrey Thompson, Executive Chef of the Berkshire’s iconic Wheatleigh. Dinner will be held at Seranak, the former home of Tanglewood legend Serge Koussevitzky. With stunning lifestyle offerings and amazing wines, this should be an evening to remember. Seating is limited.

Thursday, August 6th, 2009, 6:30 pm
Location: Seranak
Tickets are $225.




(Patrons will be redirected to the Tanglewood website to purchase tickets.

Maria Helm Sinskey
Maria Helm Sinskey graduated from the California Culinary Academy in 1987. She attended Pastry school in Denmark and then returned to San Francisco to work as chef at several noteworthy restaurants: Boz Scagg’s Blue Light Café, the venerable Sherman House (a Relais & Chateaux hotel), and Plumpjack Café. She worked in France at several Michelin starred restaurants and, after returning stateside, garnered many accolades: 1996 Food & Wine Magazine Best New Chef, SF Magazine Rising Star Chef, and SF Chronicle Rising Star chef. Her first cookbook, “The Vineyard Kitchen: Menus Inspired by the Season”, was released in September 2003. Her mantra is, “Eat seasonally, drink good wine and live a long and prosperous life.”




Robert Sinskey
Rob Sinskey is an atypical vintner. He is a native Californian and a wine guy who did not attend wine school. Over the past 20 years he has grown his 100% organic and biodynamic certified winegrowing operation to over 200 acres of premium vineyards in the Carneros and Stags Leap districts of Napa and Sonoma Valleys.









Xachariah Xavier Bell, Executive Chef
Since opening Café Boulud Palm Beach, Zach has earned the restaurant numerous accolades and nominated for “Best Chef of the South” by the James Beard Foundation twice. Zach has become involved in the Palm Beach philanthropic community, hosting and contributing to events for The Daily Bread Food Bank, The March of Dimes and Share Our Strength.





Jeffrey Thompson
Jeff came to Wheatleigh four years ago as sous chef and was instrumental in helping Wheatleigh’s dining room earn the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award. In the fall of 2006, Jeff took over as Wheatleigh’s chef.










Jennifer Reed, Pastry Chef
In May of 2008, after eight years working with Daniel Boulud, Jennifer left Café Boulud Palm Beach in order to focus on The Sugar Monkey. Her simple, sophisticated styling has created a strong following in the Palm Beach area, specializing in modern American pastries, wedding and special occasion cakes and consulting services.





Charles Curtis, Auctioneer
Charles Curtis was appointed Vice President, Head of Wine Sales, of Christie's Americas in July 2008. Charles acts as primary business-getter, focusing on high-value property and developing client relationships. Prior to his position at Christie's, Charles worked in a variety of capacities, including wholesale, general sales manager, supplier representative, journalist, author, consultant and wine judge and is a frequent speaker at wine and food festivals throughout the United States, in addition to appearances as a guest lecturer at numerous colleges. He has contributed to publications such as Harper's (UK), the International Wine Review, Santé magazine (US), Aspen magazine, and Scottsdale magazine.

Charles has garnered a number of honors, including the prestigious "Bourse André Crispin" in 2002, presented by the Commanderie de Bordeaux aux Etats-Unis. He continues his work with the Institute of Masters of Wine, speaking at their annual Education Seminar, and remains the organizer of the Institute's Annual Champagne Tasting, held in New York and in San Francisco.

Mr. Curtis earned his Diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust of London, and in October 2004 became the 22nd Master of Wine in the United States.

PLEASE NOTE:
Unless an event is cancelled, registration is NONREFUNDABLE.