Ninth Annual Dessert First!
W San Francisco
June 7, 2009


Project Open Hand's Ninth Annual Dessert First!, held at W San Francisco, on June 7, 2009, hosted over 500 guests and raised over $36,000 for Project Open Hand's meal and nutrition services. Patti Dellamonica-Bauler, pastry chef at One Market Restaurant, was once again the event chair of the event. Dessert First! Commenced with a VIP reception featuring our Second Annual Top Mixologist Competition won by Michael Garcia of XYZ Restaurant. The main event featured decadent dessert creations from some of the leading pastry chefs in the Bay Area, including Lionel Walter – Aqua, Jessica Sullivan - Boulevard, Elizabeth Falkner – Citizen Cake and Orson, Jen Archer – Martini House, Bill Corbett – Michael Minna, Ethan Howard – Murray Circle, Palio D'Asti, Sarah Ballard – Perbacco Ristorante, Michelle Polzine – Range, Tim Nugent – Scala's Bistro, and Jozephene Gutierrez – XYZ Restaurant. In addition to the incredible desserts, guests were also treated to hors d'oeuvres made by Project Open Hand Chef Michael Baroman-Coggins; cheeses by Rumiano Cheese Company, Marin French Cheese Company and Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese Company; Barefoot Wine & Bubbly wines, Peet's Coffee and Tea; ESSN Sparkling Fruit Juices, Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur martinis with Blue Angel Vodka and W. & J. Graham's Ports. The event also featured live and silent auctions. Project Open Hand would like to thank all the chefs, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped make Dessert First! a success. Special thank you goes to Scott Saraceno who created the multi-media presentations for the event and our incredible emcee Tom Durein. Here are some images from the event.

Here are some images from the event. Click on any image for a larger version.

Top Mixologist participant Shanti Deluca of One Market Restaurant served VIP Reception guest Ed Deibert his special cocktail creation.	Pastry Chef Elizabeth Falkner of Citizen Cake and Orson proudly displayed her Chocolate Bondage Dessert with her staff.
John Fiscalini and their head cheese maker Mario gave guests samples of their incredible Fiscalini Farmstead cheese throughout the evening.	A sold out crowd enjoyed the tented event on the Fourth Floor Terrace of the W.
Bill Corbett of Michael Mina delighted the crowd with his incredible desserts.	Jozephene Gutierrez of XYZ and her Lemon semolina cake with rum roasted pineapple, cardamom & walnut crumble.
Hale Baskin and her jazz ensemble again wowed the crowd with their fabulous big band numbers.	Over 500 people enjoyed the dessert creations of the 13 Dessert First! Chefs.