Hundreds attend North Bay fire relief dinner

A special Thanksgiving-themed dinner set in a vineyard along the Napa and Sonoma county line drew hundreds of people Tuesday to raise money for fire disaster relief in the North Bay.

The Grateful Table participants celebrated the strength and resilience of California’s wine country community and supported homeowners and businesses impacted by the fires in October in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties.

The event attended by more than 500 guests was hosted by Visit California in partnership with Food Network chef Tyler Florence and Outstanding in the Field, whose mission is to reconnect people with the land and honor local farmers and food artisans.

All ticket sales benefit the Mendocino County Disaster Fund, Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and California Restaurant Association Foundation.

“Our guests came from far and near during a holiday week to share our table and support this community,” Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta said.

“I want to thank the hundreds of people who came together at the Grateful Table and the countless travelers who continue to visit the region and support the local economy,” Beteta said.

Visitors from all over California, and as far away as Mexico City and Toronto, attended the event. They sat at a single table. The special menu was prepared by Florence and nearly 20 other all-star chefs from California.

Sponsors included the California Cut Flower Commission, California Grown, California Restaurant Association Foundation, California Wine Institute, Napa Flea Market, Outstanding in the Field, Pure Luxury Transportation, Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma Raceway, Venn Floral, Visit Mendocino County, Visit Napa Valley and Visit Santa Rosa.

Many businesses and residents, including those not directly affected by the fires, lost weeks of work because of evacuations and road closures in October.

To make a donation to fire disaster relief efforts visit www.visitcalifornia.com/support-wine-country.

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