Inspiration Cafe served as a warm and intimate setting for the magnificent food and wines provided by Chef Rodney Staton (of soon to open - The Ogden) and his team: Chef Steve Domanick, Chef Kevin Mershon, Chef Eric Romano and Chef Ross Sundberg. Guests enjoyed Chef Rodney’s playful approach to the 8-course menu with such delights as popcorn with smoked tomato pecorino, beet and apple tartare, “fish and chips” made of Hamachi crudo with salt and vinegar chips, caperberries and kohlrabi and rice crispy treats with roasted figs, vanilla cremeux, burnt marshmallow and puffed rice.

The night ran seemlessly because of the dedication of our wonderful volunteers that helped with all stages of the event from prep to serving the dinner to putting the cafe back in order for breakfast the next morning. A big thank you goes to: Kim Davis, Francisco DeJesus, Maria Dotterer, Amy Dummer, Ben Feng, Missy Kunze, Kun Hang Lee, Anna Mangahas, Jessica Manzella, Mecca Perry, Tiana Pires, Julie Rice, Lana Tran, Shawna Tuttle, Beth and Dan Uber, Kristin Waltz and Megan Williamson.

The dinner raised more than $22,000 due to the great generosity of donors like Chef Rodney and his crew, Melanie Wray from Maverick Wines, Sommelier James Rahn, European Imports Ltd., Fortune Fish Company, Gordon Food Service, JDY Gourmet, MT Foods, Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company, Intelligentsia Coffee, Mickey’s Linen & Towel Supply, Hall’s Rental and Whole Foods. Almost all the money raised goes to support our programs. We are always so grateful for our generous partners.