Eighteenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon
December 8, 2009

Project Open Hand's Eighteenth Annual Hand to Hand Luncheon, held at The Fairmont San Francisco on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, hosted 800 guests and raised $300,000 for Project Open Hand's meal and nutrition services. RB Harrison, President & Regional Director of Stores, Macy’s Inc., was this year’s event chair. Kate Kelly of KPIX Channel 5 TV returned as the Mistress of Ceremonies and delighted the crowd. This year’s event honored the San Francisco Examiner, Nancy Bolmeier-Fisher & Robert H. Martin, the San Francisco Food Bank, the Horizons Foundation and the M·A·C AIDS Fund.

Hand to Hand began with a cocktail reception that had live music provided by the Westside Jazz Club and featured two SKYY Vodka signature cocktails: The Citrus Collins and Raspberry Cooler. The Silent Auction, which included hotel stays, fine dining, wine and spa certificates, was a huge success. As always, Hand to Hand featured food prepared by fifteen of the finest chefs in the Bay Area, including Mark Dommen of One Market Restaurant, Lisa Eyherabide of Gitane Restaurant and Bar, Adrienne Harper of Project Open Hand, Frank Ortiz of San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Jude Wilmoth of Cook St. Helena, Janine Falvo of Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar, David Lawrence of 1300 Fillmore, Sophiane Benaouda and Michael Koenig of Grand Cafe Brasserie and Bar, Derek Ingraham of The Fairmont San Francisco, James Irby and Anna Szeto of Kuleto’s, Lisa Lu of Jardinière, John McKee of Masa’s Restaurant, and Justine Miner of rnm restaurant. Dinner was accompanied with fine wines from Nine Vines and W. & J. Graham’s Port. The event ended with an exciting live auction with three fabulous packages. San Francisco Magazine and the San Francisco Business Times were the media sponsors. Monica DuClaud once again designed the invitation and program booklet and Scott Saraceno created the visual graphics at the event.

Project Open Hand would like to thank all the chefs, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make Hand to Hand a success.

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

Mark Dommen of One Market Restaurant was busy plating his Dungeness Crab Salad.	Jude Wilmoth (center) assisted by his sous chefs with putting on the finishing touches on his Roasted Polenta appetizer.
Lisa Eyherabide of Gitane sauteed her bacon bonbons.	POH Chef Adrienne Harper cooked her Shrimp Su Mai to perfection.
Justine Miner of RNM Restaurant made sure each Myer Lemon and Raspberry Trifle was placed perfectly on the plates.	Chef Ortiz of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis plated his Olive Oil Poached Spot Prawns.
Betty Fallon felt the urge to dance to the fabulous live music during the Hand to Hand Cocktail Reception.	Westside Jazz Club band leader, Scott Silverberg played to an enthusiastic crowd.
Project Open Hand Founder, Ruth Brinker, and original POH Chef Fernando Castillo attended this year’s Hand to Hand luncheon.	Grand Sponsor Ambassador James C. Hormel launched the 25th Anniversary Campaign.
Executive Director Tom Nolan and Board Chair Barbara Rand presented Nancy Bolmeier-Fisher and Robert H. Martin the 2009 Most Outstanding Individual Supporter Award.	POH Client Sean Ray addresses our guests.