Cooking For Solutions

May 18-20, 2012

This page has all the events that took place in 2011. Bookmark this page and return to get information about 2012’s events!

Celebrate sustainable food and wine with the Monterey Bay Aquarium at Cooking for Solutions. Celebrity chefs known for their work promoting sustainable food will present demonstrations and host events. The event features Chef of the Year Rick Moonen, the Food Network's Robert Irvine, Iron Chef America commentator Alton Brown and more!

Friday, May 20th

Cooking for Solutions Gala

Sample sustainable cuisine from over 70 restaurants, as well as wines from 60 West Coast wineries, at the Cooking For Solutions Gala on Friday, May 20 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Taste incredible sushi in the sushi lounge, get books signed by Rick Moonen, Cindy Pawlcyn and P. Allen Smith, and participate in a silent auction benefiting the Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. Tickets are $150 for the general public and $120 for Monterey Bay Aquarium members.

Saturday, May 21st

Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations

Learn how to prepare sustainable seafood in your own home with cooking demonstrations from Michael Cimarusti, William Dissen and Virginia Willis at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Saturday, May 21 from 8 to 11:30am. The $75 fee ($60 for members) includes continental breakfast and a set of recipes to take home.

Coastal Living Pavilion Presentations

Take up the opportunity to meet your favorite celebrity chefs! P. Allen Smith will be joined by chef Regina Charboneau as he offers up tips for harvesting, storing, and cooking some of his favorite garden fruits and vegetables. Iron Chef America commentator, Alton Brown, will showcase his talent and knowledge in sustainable seafood and Food Network star Robert Irvine will delight the crowd with tips on how to serve up delicious sustainable seafood dishes. Presentations will be held from 9:30am-4:30pm in the Coastal Living Pavilion. Tickets are $75 to the general public and $60 for Aquarium members.

Food and Wine Adventures

On Saturday, explore Monterey County with one of six chef-led Food and Wine Adventures. John Ash, Peter Pahnk, Wendy Brody, Seth Caswell, and Cindy Pawlcyn will bring small groups on tours through various aspects of California food culture, including aquaculture, local produce, and winemaking. All tours include cooking demonstrations and gourmet lunches paired with premium wines, and no more than 40 people are allowed on any tour. See the official Cooking for Solutions website for details of each itinerary. Each tour is $225 for the general public and $175 for Aquarium members.

Saturday Salon Series

Join one of these intimate events with leaders in sustainable and organic food movements including Myra Goodman, Maria Rodale and Kristine Kidd. Myra Goodman and Maria Rodale will discuss the importance of raising healthy foods for the planet. Cookbook author, Kristine Kidd will demonstrate a few of her recipes and sign copies of her book afterwards. Tickets for each series are $45 for the general public and $15 for Aquarium members.

Sustainable Foods Celebration

Enjoy cooking demonstrations from famed chefs, Sam Choy, Mark Dommen and Lee Richardson at the Sustainable Foods Celebration on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. Also learn about sustainable seafood, organic agriculture and sustainable winemaking. The event is included with regular Aquarium admission.

Sunday, May 22nd

Savor the Gulf Coast Champagne Breakfast

On Sunday, May 22nd, enjoy breakfast cooked by celebrity chefs Virginia Willis, Lee Richardson and Regina Charboneau. Enjoy plenty of Korbel champagne and a Southern-style breakfast buffet included with live Cajun music at the Aquarium's restaurant. Breakfast begins at 10am in the Aquarium restaurant. Tickets are $75 for the general public and $60 for Aquarium members.

Coastal Living Pavilion Presentations

Sunday's presentations include demonstrations from Alton Brown and Nathan Lyon. Alton Brown will delight the crowd with his knowledge on cooking sustainable seafood. A Lyon in the Kitchen's, Nathan Lyon, will highlight recipes using fresh produce from local farmers' markets. Presentations will be held from 10am-3pm in the Coastal Living Pavilion. Tickets are $75 to the general public and $60 for Aquarium members.

Sunday Salon Series

Sunday's Salon Series will include presentations from Brandon Hill and Jeff Rogers. Chef Brandon Hill will entertain the crowd with his incredible sushi-making skills with samples to follow. Or check out Aquarium Executive Chef, Jeff Rogers' tips and information on preparing sustainable seafood. Tickets for each series are $45 for the general public and $15 for Aquarium members.

Aquarium Member Packages

Monterey Bay Aquarium members can purchase Platinum or Gold Packages. The Platinum Package includes access to Friday evening's, Amuse-Bouche event, Cooking for Solutions Gala, Saturday's Food and Wine Adventure, the Sustainable Seafood Challenge, Sunday's Coastal Living Pavilion program with preferred seating, and Sunday morning's Savor the Gulf Coast Breakfast with celebrity chefs. Price is $700. The Gold Package includes access to the Cooking for Solutions Gala, Cooking Demonstrations, one Coastal Living Pavilion program with preferred seating, and Savor the Gulf Coast Breakfast with celebrity chefs. Price is $275.