Paso Robles Rotary - Paso Robles Rotary Special Events

This casual evening of relaxed good times under the stars at the luxurious River Oaks Hot Springs and Spa (formerly Paso Robles Hot Springs and Spa) will be held August 9, 2008 beginning at 6:00 PM. Come out to meet over 20 of the best winemaker-chefs themselves. You will have a chance to taste the tempting fare grilled for your dining pleasure and enjoy the wines the chefs have selected to pair with their culinary creations.

Tickets are available for this unique evening of food and wine in the company of the region's very best winemakers are only $75 per person.

Over the past nine years the Winemaker's Cook Off has raised over $200,000.

All proceeds are deposited into the Rotary Club of Paso Robles' Harlow Ford Foundation and other local charities. This year, the Foundation awarded over $22,000 in scholarships to 24 graduating high school seniors. Your support will ensure the Rotary Club and the Winemaker's dedication to education.

As in years past, the exceptional winemakers of the Paso Robles region have very generously donated their time, wine, staff and culinary expertise to make this event truly memorable. Adding to the excitement of the "People's Choice Award" will be the third year of the “Judges Award” decided on by renowned local chefs. The competition among the winemakers is expected to be more intense than ever. If you enjoy choice wine, excellent food prepared by the Central Coast's finest winemakers, music and furthering the education of local high school seniors, the Ninth Annual Winemaker's Cook Off is a must attend event.

See you there!

The Rotary Club of Paso Robles extends

a special thanks to all our generous
2008 event sponsors

Larry Shupnick is considered a veteran and “one of the best” in the hotel and hospitality industry. As Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s largest independent hotel management company, Larry has more than 30 years experience in managing some of the finest food and wine destinations in the country. Previously, he served in senior executive positions at a number of hotel companies, including Sheraton Corporation, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Schine Hotels and Recion Corporation. Larry lives in Avila Beach with his wife Glenda and spends much of his time traveling the country, working in Washington, D.C. and overseeing his wine shop in Napa, CA.
Mike Stepanovich, based in Bakersfield, has been writing his wine column, “Life is a Cabernet” since 1985 and judging wines since 1987. Stepanovich also teaches wine history and wine appreciation classes for California State University Bakersfield and California State University Northridge.
Janis Switzer is a freelance writer who writes the weekly column “Wine Notes” for ‘The Tribune” newspaper serving San Luis Obispo County. A marketing executive in the kitchenware industry for many years, Janis moved to Templeton, California with her husband Paul in 2005 to enjoy the wine country lifestyle and write about the many fascinating people who are involved in the area’s growing wine industry.
Robert Whitley host of the "Wine Talk" column, syndicated nationally by the Copley News Service and published in major newspapers such as the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Bergen Record and the Trenton Times. Robert also is publisher of Wine Review Online (www.winereviewonline.com), an online wine publication that draws upon the expertise and writing brilliance of many of the top wine and food journalists in the United States. Whitley oversees three major international wine competitions – the innovative Critics Challenge, the San Diego International Wine Competition and the Monterey Wine Competition – as well as numerous wine tasting events, including San Diego's annual Wine & Roses Charity Wine Tasting. Robert does two weekly radio shows – Whitley On Wine and The Gourmet Club – that can be heard on the WEB or podcast at www.signonsandiego.com.

Participting Wineries