Winners announced for annual Crab Cake and Wine Tasting Competition
Mendocino Coast Clinics was back under the Big White Tent for our 22nd annual Crab Cake Cook-off & Wine Tasting Competition fundraiser on February 4, 2023. Nine professional chefs, twelve Mendocino County wineries, and three local food & beverage purveyors served their finest to our nearly 250 ticket buyers. Thanks to our generous donors, this year’s Fund-the-Future pledge drive was an enormous success — meeting and surpassing our goal of $30,000! These dollars are dedicated toward the purchase of essential medical equipment for additional patient care space being converted from offices to exam rooms at the South Street site. Volunteers, including some of MCC’s longtime supporters, MCC staff past and present, Rotary Club members, Interact Club members, Upward Bound students, and Parents and Friends staff, teamed up after a two-year hiatus, due to COVID-19, to bring the event back to the Coast.
The microphone was passed from Tom Yates and Vicky Watts from KOZT radio at the onset of the event to this year’s emcees, retired sheriff Tom Allman, and TV/ radio personality Roberta Gonzales. “Seeing our loyal supporters come back to the tent was so wonderful! Given that we raised the entry price and required vaccination for all who participated as vendors or ticket holders, we had some concerns about filling the tent. We didn’t have to worry at all, everyone who came had a great time and shared many compliments about the event,” said Lucresha Renteria, Executive Director of Mendocino Coast Clinics. Event Coordinator Tawny MacMillan added, “Everything came together in that stunning Tent Dining Room, the auction bidding was intense and higher than we have ever had. Tom and Roberta kept the crowd engaged and the chefs and wineries kept us all happily fed. The crab cakes were not only beautiful to look at, but they were also delicious, and there is no better wine than that of Mendocino County!”
Three Bay Area media professional judges were brought in by Visit Mendocino County and patrons voted their favorites for People’s Choice awards. Here are the results:
Best Crab Cakes — Professional Judges’ Choice:
Big Jim for Artevino Wine Los Gallitos Mexican Restaurant
Little River Inn
Best Crab Cakes — People’s Choice:
Los Gallitos Mexican Restaurant
Left Coast Seafood Little River Inn
Best White Wines with Crab — Professional Judges’ Choice:
Navarro Vineyards Brut BARRA of Mendocino Wines Girasole Rosé
Husch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Best White Wines with Crab — People’s Choice: Husch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
BARRA of Mendocino Wines Girasole Rosé
Navarro Vineyards Brut We are already looking forward to our 2024event. Save the date for February 3 as we kick off the celebration of Mendocino Coast Clinics’ 30th anniversary year! Mendocino Coast Clinics is a non-profit, federally qualified health center serving as a patient-centered medical home for people on the Mendocino Coast. MCC provides a team-based approach to care, offering medical, dental, behavioral health services, and more. Learn more at mendocinocoastclinics.org.