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Leslie Harlib's Cuisine Scene: Marin dishes out its best at Taste
Staff Report
Marin Independent Journal Article: 9/12/2006

Scores of organic tidbits, Cuban music, a talk by best-selling author and environmentalist Paul Hawken and a farmers market are all part of this year's seventh annual Taste of Marin. The huge event, a fund-raiser for Marin Organic, will take place Sundayfrom 4 to 9 p.m. at St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael off Highway 101's Marinwood exit.

Mostly, there'll be a whole lotta eatin' goin' on. To my taste, "Taste" is one Marin's best two public food parties (it shares favorite status with Great Chefs of Marin, a springtime feast that benefits Lifehouse Agency).

"I think this year's Taste might top last year's on the food part - it should be really creative," says Helge Hellberg, executive director of Marin Organic and co-producer of the event with the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT).

"The description of dishes that will be served sound amazing," he says.

"What's served will really be about the essence of what's presented. Because the food quality is so high -Êeverything is organic - you don't need to do much to it. It will be up to the talents of the individual chefs to bring out that essence by adding a few of the right seasonings."

Around 30 restaurants and caterers are contributing specialties to this marathon munchfest. Here's just a brief list of what will be presented: Harissa-roasted chicken, mixed green bean salad and Israeli couscous from the Olema Inn; Vietnamese-style seared beef salad with mixed greens, fried basil and tomatoes from Comforts of San Anselmo; five varieties of mini-hamburgers with homemade condiments from Indian Peach Foods of Point Reyes Station; puffdogies - Marin Sun Farms grass-fed beef hot-dogs in puff pastry - with house-made sauerkraut and other condiments from Station House Cafe of Point Reyes Station; Estofado Catalan - Spanish-style braised boneless Lunney Ranch short ribs with sherry, orange and bitter chocolate sauce from Insalata's in San Anselmo. Desserts include organic ice creams from the Fairfax Scoop and Three Twins of Terra Linda served in martini glasses; apple pie from the Pine Cone Diner of Point Reyes Station; and dark chocolate truffles from Marin chocolatier Diana's Delight.

As with last year, food will be served in fairly small portions; patrons can eat as much as they like.

"It's really a very appropriate sampling of everything Marin has to offer," says Hellberg.
"Right now we are in September, the most abundant month. We'll also have seven wineries pouring organic wines. We hope people will really pay attention to the quality and the difference between wineries and different growing regions; notice the difference between different beefs and certain oysters.

"People can make this evening a really sensual experience out of what you are eating, drinking and hearing."

In addition to the giant food marathon, the event will begin with a farmer's market from 4 to 5 p.m., offering foods for sale from many local farmers all from greater Marin County.

The restaurant booths will open at 5 p.m. Tables and chairs will be set up in part of St. Vincent's large courtyard; there will also be tall tables for standing and eating on the fly.

A silent auction begins at 5 p.m. followed by Paul Hawken's talk at 6:30. There will also be a live auction featuring such packages as a catered dinner for six at the Inverness home of three-time Oscar-winner Chris Boyes (sound editor on "King Kong," "Lord of the Rings" and "Titanic," among many others) plus a private screening of one of Boyes' films.

Bring your dancing shoes as well as your appetite. The 12-piece Cuban band, Orquesta La Mordena Tradicion," will play until 9 p.m. and a special dance floor will be laid for this party.

Tickets for "Taste of Marin" are $150 per person; $125 for members of Marin Organic and MALT.

For reservations, call 663-9667; tickets will also be sold at the door.

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