By now you probably know that famed chef Mario Batali offered a dinner along with a wine tasting and cooking lesson for 12 as a part of our 2005 Picnic and Silent Auction. What you may not know is that bidding was fast and furious at the Picnic, with many parties vying for a chance to both dine with Batali while supporting the work of protecting Leelanau. Ultimately, the dinner went for $25,000. The high bidders, who wish to remain anonymous, said they had a great time made all the better knowing it was benefiting the Conservancy.

Batali echoed the sentiment. “The dinner was a blast – the people who came were my kind of people--fun, relaxed and into food and wine. I made it a point to toast the Conservancy right off because the bottom line is that the reason I was there and they were there was to support this great cause.” Mario and his family own a home near Northport and spend a good part of their summer in Leelanau.

“In support of the Leelanau Conservancy” was the first line on specially printed menu cards, which detailed a mouthwatering array of courses. Among them: “Eggplant Involtini with Ricotta and Scallions,” “Marinated Grilled Quail with Sweet Corn and Vin Cotto,” and “Peach Crostata with Balsamic Vinegars.” Guests walked away stuffed and happy, toting Babbo shopping bags filled with olive oils, cookbooks and others culinary gifts.

Cammie Buehler of Epicure Catering, who lent her kitchen at Cherry Basket Farm and her help that evening said, "The hands-on educational approach to the menu, emphasis on local ingredients and outstanding wine pairings created a delicious meal and a memorable evening. It was amazing to watch a master at work.”

When we arrived before the dinner guests to take the above photo, Batali was missing in action, having run to Hansen’s in Suttons Bay for fresh mozzarella balls. While we were waiting, Dave McCool, Mario’s fly fishing guide and waiter for the evening told us, “Mario is very into what the Conservancy is doing. He’s always pointing out your projects to me when we are fishing.”

The Leelanau Conservancy is very grateful to Mario Batali for lending his time and his name to furthering our cause. “We were not only able to raise a large amount of money for land protection, Mario’s association with our organization brought us a lot of great press and created tremendous excitement,” says Brian Price, executive director. “We are very lucky to have him as a supporter and to have him take on our mission so sincerely and so personally.”

(The dinner was held August 26, 2005.)