Top Chefs and Wineries Collaborate to Help the YMCA Finish Its First Facility in the San Ramon Valley

PLEASANT HILL, CA--(Marketwire - May 7, 2009) - The Mt. Diablo Region YMCA will hold an exclusive event benefiting the completion of the capital campaign for the new San Ramon Valley YMCA facility on Thursday, May 14th at Patrick David's event center located at 2460 Old Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon. The event begins at 6:30pm, and will feature five of the best culinary talents in the San Ramon, Danville and Walnut Creek areas, as well as three Bay Area wineries to create a spectacular night for prospective YMCA donors to cap off the remaining $300,000 needed to complete the new San Ramon Valley YMCA capital campaign.

Patrick David's Catering (www.patrickdavids.com) is the lead sponsor of the night, and famed chef Patrick Schoolcraft has generously donated his culinary concoctions as well as the use of their cutting edge event center that features four exquisite venue opportunities that can support groups of nearly any size. Patrick David's, widely considered one of the top restaurants and catering services in the Tri-Valley area for more than a decade, offers a wide range of unique fish, beef and poultry dishes designed to delight any palate. The evening will include a kitchen demonstration for those interested in advanced and unique culinary techniques and a chance to mingle among famous chefs and community leaders. Other chefs and wineries that will support the event include:

--  Michael Baker, executive chef of Piatti
    (http://www.piatti.com/index2.html) (925) 838-2082
    Piatti Ristorante reflects the warm charm and welcoming atmosphere of a
    traditional Italian trattoria.
    
--  Julia Craco, chef/owner of Julianna Personal Chef & Caterer of
    Pleasanton (925) 399-5524
    A popular personal chef and caterer in Diablo Valley, Julia brings her
    passion for excellence to everything she prepares for her discriminating
    clientele.
    
--  Barbara Kelly, executive chef of Viva Cucina cooking school and
    catering (http://www.vivacucina.com) (925) 820-6612
    Barbara blends process and creativity to teach students of any age or
    background the fine art of the culinary process.  Offering her own gourmet
    kitchen for groups of up to 46, Barbara combines individualized attention,
    a deep background in cooking, a gentle manner and a friendly environment
    that makes learning to cook like a chef achievable for anyone.
    Customizable menus make the Viva Cucina experience perfect for any
    occasion.
    
--  Paula Szloboda, R.N., N.I., M.A., M.B.A. is a therapeutic chef and
    Professor at John F. Kennedy University, where she is known for her
    "cubicle kitchen." (http://www.jfku.edu/programs/programs/holistic_health/)
    e-mail: pszloboda@jfku.edu (925) 969-3514
    Her passion is creating health through food, and she teaches methods of
    supporting life-long joyful eating, featuring seasonal, fresh, local foods.
    Her clients include people facing multiple health challenges, but her
    innovative and intelligent approach is bringing greater enjoyment to all
    kinds of people who hadn't realized how easy it is to eat well, in every
    sense of the word.
    
--  Concannon Vineyard (http://www.concannonvineyard.com/) (925) 456-2505
    Concannon's, located in Livermore, has created a landmark winery with an
    enduring commitment to creating outstanding, award-winning wines.
    
--  O'Brien Estate Winery (http://www.obrienestate.com/) (707) 252-8463
    O'Brien Estate Winery, located in the Napa Valley, produces exclusively
    estate bottled wines from its single, sustainably farmed vineyard.  Their
    wines reflect Bart and Barbie O'Brien's passion for the intertwining of
    romance and wine.  The couple has won awards from American Fine Wine
    Competition and received excellent ratings from the famed Wine Spectator
    for their chardonnay and cabernet vintages.
    
--  Storyteller (http://www.storytellerwinery.com) email:
    matt@storytellerwinery.com; Twitter: storytellerwine; Facebook:
    storyteller winery
    Storyteller, located in Menlo Park with grapes from the Santa Cruz
    Mountains, is sharing its very special 2007 wines: Ventured Gained and
    Labor of Love with the YMCA before its official public launch.  In 2006 the
    founders, Matt and Ericka Palmer, won the prestigious silver award for
    their cabernet franc merlot blend from Winemaker magazine.
    

"We are only a few hundred thousand dollars away from finalizing our capital campaign that will finance the state-of-the-art San Ramon Valley YMCA facility for present and future generations in our community. This event hosted by Patrick David's restaurant will not only allow us to complete the capital campaign, but it will also promote good health which is one of the core tenets of the YMCA," said Kathy Chiverton, executive director of the San Ramon Valley YMCA.

"Now, more than ever, families in our community need an affordable way to socialize, exercise and learn important new skills," said Bob Waldron, board chairman of the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA. "Supporting the fundraising efforts for the San Ramon Valley YMCA facility is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, foster health, involvement and good citizenship. This new facility is truly a gift to our community."

The San Ramon Valley facility will house a family splash park, outdoor lap pool, fitness and wellness center, teen leadership center, multi-generational center, demonstration cooking kitchen, indoor warm water rehabilitation pool, climbing wall and picnic area.

For more information on this exclusive event, please contact Kathy Chiverton at 925-692-2345 or Judith Parker at 925-887-4645.

About the Mt. Diablo Region YMCA

The Mt. Diablo Region YMCA has served the greater Contra Costa County area for 50 years. With four branches, 23 school-age child-care sites at local elementary schools, and four preschools, the organization is continuing to grow and expand its network to meet the ever-changing needs of the local community. The Mt. Diablo Region YMCA provides program services for all age groups, from toddlers to seniors, to more than 38,000 households. The organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of all people through programs that strengthen spirit, mind and body. Financial assistance is available to all individuals who demonstrate proven need. For more information, visit www.mdrymca.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Shannon Magill Trainer Communications 925.463.4844 smagill@trainercomm.com