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CLASSIQUE

2026 JOURNEY

The Night’s Schedule of Events

From the red-carpet welcome and wine reception to the culinary masterpieces and live auction, every moment has been thoughtfully designed to delight the senses and celebrate the spirit of giving.

Welcome to the Table

An extraordinary evening.

A table with a greater purpose. Every unforgettable evening begins with an invitation.

Tonight, we welcome you to a table where culinary imagination meets inspired design, where generosity brings people together, and where every shared experience becomes part of something greater.

From the first toast to the final sweet indulgence, each moment has been thoughtfully created for you.

Your place is here. Welcome to Classique.

Silent Auction

Discover Something Extraordinary. Give Something Meaningful.

The excitement begins before the first glass is poured.

Explore an exceptional collection of experiences, treasures, and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Every bid brings the possibility of something wonderful, while supporting the meals, care, and connection Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula provides throughout our community.

Find something you love. Bid with purpose.

SILENT AUCTION PREVIEW

Goes Live at 4p and ends at 630p

4:00

A Taste of What's to Come

Welcome Reception

Your Classique experience begins with a warm welcome, exceptional wines, and an inspired selection of hors d’oeuvres prepared by talented local chefs.

Reconnect with friends, make new acquaintances, and savor the anticipation of an evening unlike any other.

Domaine Messier Rosรฉ de Pinot Noir
Wrath Brut Rosรฉ, San Saba Vineyard
Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Sparkling Wine

The table is set. The celebration begins.

5:00

Where Imagination Takes Its Seat

Grand Ballroom Opens

The doors open to a world where creativity knows no boundaries.

Discover an extraordinary collection of tablescapes, each imagined and brought to life by one of this year’s talented designers. Every detail tells a story, transforming the familiar dining table into an expression of art, personality, and possibility.

Meet the designers, explore their inspirations, and discover the artistry waiting at your table.

5:30

Welcome to the Table

Tonight, we gather for more than an exceptional dining experience.

Opening Remarks with Dan Green

Join our host, Dan Green, for a heartfelt welcome and a glimpse into the lives touched by Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula.

Behind every meal delivered is a neighbor, a story, and a reminder that community is built by showing up for one another.

Tonight, you are part of that story.

5:45

First Course

An Unexpected Beginning

Our culinary journey opens with two distinct interpretations of California’s seasonal bounty.

Main Course | Chef Kelly McCown

A delicate torchon of Point Arena black cod meets the warmth of kabocha pumpkin, the intrigue of Sichuan peppercorn, and the bright complexity of fermented Foothill apples. A sophisticated opening that invites you to discover something unexpected in every bite.

Vegetarian | Chef Colin Moody

Fall Roots and Ash celebrates the beauty of the harvest. Charred baby beets, cashew ricotta, Satsuma, and gathered California buckwheat dukkah create a vibrant interplay of earthiness, texture, and brightness.

Wine Pairing

2025 Pine Ridge Vineyards, Chenin Blanc + Viognier, Napa Valley

6:15

Second Course

A Celebration of Craft and Character

The journey continues with bold flavors, thoughtful contrasts, and the unmistakable personalities of two remarkable chefs.

Main Course | Chef Bruce Kalman

Squid ink cavatelli embraces the delicate sweetness of Nantucket Bay scallops, lifted by Calabrian chiles, seasoned crumbs, and fresh sorrel. An expressive combination of Italian inspiration and coastal ingredients.

Vegetarian | Chef Colin Moody

Autumn Charlotte brings the season to life through truffled white Friulana polenta, foraged fall mushrooms, Castroville artichoke, and a vibrant tomato and pepper velvet. A celebration of the land’s remarkable abundance.

Wine Pairing

2024 Domaine Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, France

6:45

Third Course

The Art of a Memorable Moment

As the evening deepens, our third course brings richness, refinement, and a celebration of culinary imagination.

Main Course | Chef James Trees

Tasting of Oโ€™Connor Australian Angus Beef showcases two expressions of exceptional craftsmanship: roasted filet and short rib en croรปte, complemented by pomme farci celery root, watercress, and sauce charcutiรจre. Classic technique meets confident creativity.

Vegetarian | Chef Michael Rotondo

A beautifully composed terrine of slow-roasted root vegetables is accompanied by hoja santa, sweet-and-sour grilled radicchio, olive oil-whipped potatoes, and a red wine shallot reduction. A thoughtful expression of depth, balance, and seasonal elegance.

Wine Pairing

2021 Lopai Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles

7:00

The Artists Behind the Evening

A Celebration of Our Chefs

Every exceptional dish begins with imagination, dedication, and the hands of someone who believes food can create something memorable.

Tonight, we invite all of our participating chefs to the stage for a special moment of recognition.

Join us in celebrating the extraordinary culinary talent, generosity, and passion that make Classique possible.

7:15

Live Auction and Paddle Raise

The Moment We Make a Difference

The energy rises. The paddles go up. And the true power of coming together takes center stage.

Our Live Auction brings remarkable experiences and spirited bidding to the ballroom, followed by an opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact through our Paddle Raise.

Every generous gesture helps Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula continue delivering nourishment, independence, and human connection to neighbors who count on us.

Tonight, the most meaningful thing we share at this table is generosity.

8:10

Dessert Course

A Sweet Ending Worth Savoring

Every exceptional meal deserves a memorable finale.

Main Dessert | Chef Jake Yergensen

A decadent cocoa amaro cake brings together the richness of dark chocolate honey crunch, luscious Black Mission fig confit, and airy orange honey whipped ganache. Finished with a vibrant fig gastrique and delicate fig leaf tuile, it’s an indulgent finale of contrasting flavors and textures.

Vegetarian Dessert | Chef Jake Yergensen

A silky coconut panna cotta meets the rich indulgence of dark chocolate honey crunch and luscious Black Mission fig confit. A graceful finale that balances delicate creaminess, satisfying texture, and the natural sweetness of ripe figs.

8:30

The Evening Ends.

The Impact Continues.

A Celebration of What We Share

The final course has been served, but what we’ve created together reaches far beyond tonight.

Every conversation, every act of generosity, and every place at this table represents a community that believes in caring for one another.

Because of you, Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula can continue bringing nourishment, companionship, and dignity to the doorsteps of our neighbors.

Thank you for being part of Classique. Thank you for being part of something greater.

There’s always room at the table for kindness.

9:00

Until We Meet Again

Classique 2026 Concludes

An unforgettable evening. A lasting difference.

Thank you for joining us at the table.

#CLASSIQUE2026

2026 CLASSIQUE GALA

An Extraordinary Night Awaits

Sponsors

Culinary Brilliance, Coastal Elegance & Community Impact