Cooking For Solutions

May 18-20, 2012

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 Michael Nischan, Celebrity Chef Host Cindy Pawlcyn, the Cooking Channel's Ben Sargent, Iron Chef America commentator Alton Brown and more!

Friday, May 18th

Cooking for Solutions Gala

Sample sustainable cuisine from over 75 restaurants, as well as wines from 60 West Coast wineries, at the Cooking For Solutions Gala on Friday, May 18 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Taste incredible seafood in Safeway's Waterfront Bistro Lounge, visit the beer garden and participate in a silent auction benefiting the Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. Tickets are $155 for the general public and $125 for Monterey Bay Aquarium members.

Saturday, May 19th

Savor the Gulf Coast Champagne Breakfast

On Saturday, May 19th, enjoy breakfast cooked by celebrity chefs Allen Susser, Paula DaSilva, Michael Schwartz and Susan Spicer. Enjoy a Southern-style breakfast buffet included with live Cajun music at the Aquarium's restaurant. Breakfast begins at 8am in the Aquarium restaurant. Tickets are $75 for the general public and $60 for Aquarium members.

Celebrity Chefs LIVE!

Learn how to prepare sustainable seafood in your own home with cooking demonstrations from Alton Brown, Rick Bayless and Alexandra Guarnaschelli at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Saturday, May 19 from 10:30 to 3:30am. Each presentation is $60 for the general public and $45 for members.

Food and Wine Adventures

On Saturday, explore Monterey County with one of six chef-led Food and Wine Adventures. John Ash, Ben Sargent, Wendy Brodie, Cindy Pawlcyn and Sean Baker 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 Tony Baker, Becky Selengut and Peggy O'Kelly. Tickets for each series are $45 for the general public and $20 for Aquarium members.

Sustainable Foods Celebration

Enjoy cooking demonstrations from famed chefs, Sam Choy and Nathan Lyon 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 20th

Breakfast with Carla Hall

On Sunday, May 20th, enjoy breakfast cooked by celebrity chef Carla Hall from ABC's "The Chew." Enjoy a delectable breakfast buffet at the Aquarium's restaurant. Breakfast begins at 8am in the Aquarium restaurant. Tickets are $75 for the general public and $60 for Aquarium members.

Celebrity Chefs LIVE!

Learn how to prepare sustainable seafood in your own home with cooking demonstrations from Alton Brown, Michael Chiarellor and Cindy Pawlcyn at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Sunday, May 20 from 10:30 to 3:30am. Each presentation is $60 for the general public and $45 for members.

Sunday Salon Series

Sunday's Salon Series will include presentations from Paula DaSilva, Jeff Rogers, Jeff Jake and Jesse Ziff Cool.. Tickets for each series are $45 for the general public and $20 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, Cooking for Solutions Gala, Saturday's Food and Wine Adventure, Sustainable Seafood Challenge, The Morning Chew: Breakfast with Carla Hall, one Sunday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program and one Sunday Salon Series program. Price is $650. The Gold Package includes access to the Cooking for Solutions Gala, Saturday morning's Savor the Gulf Coast Breakfast, one Saturday Celebrity Chefs LIVE! program and one Sunday Salon Series program. Price is $225.