Plate by Plate 2010 Ticket Giveaway

[UPDATE 7/23/2010: Folks, we have a wiener! The winning entry was submitted by Brent. According to PbP's Director of Marketing Belle Hsu and Director of Events Jin Kang, Brent's submission "mentioned all the key elements and the writer seemed to understand the cause that's beyond the fancy tasting benefit scene- best cuisine, 'Plate by Plate', API community, Health Justice Network, fellow foodie." Congrats Brent! We'll be in touch shortly.]

On Saturday, August 14, Project by Project will be hosting its eighth Annual Tasting Benefit, Plate by Plate. Project by Project is a national tax-exempt volunteer organization centered around issues relating to the Asian American community. Each year, PbP chooses a charitable organization to partner with, and this year, it's the Health Justice Network, a non-profit group focused on addressing health disparities and access to quality healthcare services. As always, this event will showcase the gastronomic talents of some of LA's most popular restaurants, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from a bevy of leading purveyors. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a silent auction and live musical entertainment.

The benefit will be held at the California Science Center's Wallis Annenberg Building (across the street from USC). Here's the current slate of participants (more to be added later):

.VIANDS. Bistro LQ The Blvd BoHo Café Pinot Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's Craft The Foundry on Melrose Fraiche Gonpachi Jamaica's Cakes Jar JiRaffe Jitlada La Cachette Bistro La Grande Orange Maison Akira Mo-Chica Musha Nobu One World Vegetarian Cuisine Plush Puffs Roy's Starry Kitchen Susina Bakery & Cafe Thompson Beverly Hills Valerie Confections Wokcano Yogurtland

.LIBATIONS. Activate Drinks Derby Wine Estates DRY Soda Go Girl Kiamie Wine Cellars MoMo Cosmo Naja Tea Nestlé Water Ozeki Sake Peter Franus POM Robert Oatley Vineyards Rock Sake Sapporo Singha Stone Brewing Co. Trinchero Family Vineyards Vavo Ginger Ale Veev Ventura Limoncello Viader

Tickets are currently on sale for $125, but you can win yours right here! Just leave a comment with your name or handle, email or other contact info, and a brief blurb about what you're looking forward to most about the event (the food, the unlimited booze, the hotties?). Plate by Plate's lovely organizer Jin Kang and I will then pick a winning response. Please submit entries by noon on July 21.

Now, regular readers will know that I normally don't post about upcoming food events. And in fact, this is the first time I've done a giveaway. This is a restaurant-focused blog after all, and I don't like the idea of being a tool of the PR machine. That being said, since I am offering a prize valued at $125, I do feel that there's a real benefit to readers here, hence the post. Depending on the reponse, I may decide to offer more free giveways in the future.