Menu for Hope 4 (2007 Edition)

The fourth annual Menu for Hope has begun. Food bloggers and readers worldwide are raising funds, a $10 raffle ticket at a time, until December 21st for the UN World Food Programme, this year for the people of Lesotho.

Lesotho is a small country in southern Africa, completely landlocked by South Africa. It's about the size of Maryland, with a similar climate - hot, wet summers and cold, dry winters - but the terrain is mountainous and at a high elevation. The population is a little more than that of Philadelphia. English is actually the official language of the Basotho and the literacy rate among women is an impressive, with men at 75%. Yet a baby born this year can only expect to live to roughly 36 years-old. About a quarter of the population is malnourished.

MFH4 chose Lesotho to receive funds because of a new WFP initiative to buy food from local, sustainable farmers to supply the national School Feeding program, which provides morning porridge and lunch to 137,000 kids. The number includes a handful of the country's nomadic herd boys, some as young as 7 years-old, who tend livestock in the country's highlands, living alone in harsh conditions months at a time.

I am humbled by the generosity of friends who donated prizes, you for buying raffle tickets, everyone who has worked tirelessly on the campaign, and the Basotho themselves for sharing their spirit of hope.

UC24, UC31, UC32, UC33, UC 34: Personalized Copy of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach" (five copies will be available)
Tony will sign each copy of his behind-the-scenes, on-the-road, travel journal to the winner or recipient of choice. The photo-filled book - featuring international food porn, medical anomalies, and the worst bathroom in the world - will be shipped directly from the show's headquarters, Zero Point Zero Production.

UC25: PolyScience Thermal Circulator (Model 7306C): Priced at $925, PolyScience is the gold standard in new culinary technology and their thermal circulator, one of the most coveted pieces of professional equipment worldwide. Used by Grant Achatz at Alinea, Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, and on Iron Chef America to control the heating of liquid within 0.09F/0.05C, up to 300F/150C, for revolutionary sous-vide cooking.

UC26: Moto "Chef for a Day" with Elvex Legionnaire Goggles: Moto Executive Chef Homaro Cantu (pictured) and Pastry Chef Ben Roche will lead you beyond the known limits of taste, texture, and technique. I will include a pair of Elvex Legionnaire goggles, for your ocular protection while working with liquid nitrogen and the class IV laser.

UC27: Roquette 1797 Absinthe: An extremely limited edition authentic absinthe based on a recipe discovered in a manuscript dated 1797, when the drink still hovered between liquor and potion. This unusual, spicy and complex absinthe was distilled in very small batches by absintheurs Peter Schaf and David Nathan-Maister in antique alembics in Pontarlier, France. Unfortunately absinthe cannot be shipped to Canada or a number of countries

UC28: Hot Doug's"Today's Celebrity Sausage" Designation and $25 Gift Certificate: Immortalize yourself or your loved one in a gourmet hot dog creation. Your name of choice will go up on the board and website of Chicago's beloved Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium. Get the of duck fat fries on Fridays or Saturdays.

How to Participate in A Menu for Hope
1. Choose a prize or prizes from our Menu for Hope full list at Chez Pim or central US list at Kalyn's Kitchen.
2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving to make a donation.
3. Please specify which prize you'd like in the "personal message" field on the donation form. You must write in how many tickets per prize and use the prize code. (Each $10 you donate will buy one raffle ticket toward any prize. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 - please write 2xEU01, 3xEU02.)
4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the appropriate box and fill in the information so we can claim the corporate match.
5. Please check the box allowing us to see your email address so we can contact you if you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone. Visit Chez Pim on Wednesday, January 9, for the results of the raffle.

Comments

[Kalyn]

What an amazing collection of prizes. Thanks for participating! I really hope we can set a new record again this year.

[Vincent]

Yeah pretty cool prizes this year.

What's hilarious is that I have a picture of me in the exact same Dukes of Hazzard t-shirt. I didn't have the same mane as Cantu - my Mom was more of a "Chili Bowl" stylist.

Hope you and the family have a great Holiday Louisa. BTW, how's your Brother been?

[Rethabile]

Thank you for the initiative, on behalf of the children.

[David Mortman]

I'm so psyched to have won the Moto "Chef for a Day" prize. I can't wait to schedule the trip up t Chicago. Thanks to everyone for organizing this.

[Katie B.]

I am still stunned about the Thermal Circulator!! I received a vacuum sealer for Christmas, so this couldn't be more perfect!! Thank you so much!!!

[Katie Myers]

I won the Hot Doug's prize -- what a nice surprise! I love that place! Thank you!

[Louisa]

Kalyn - yes, everyone has been so generous again this year. And it's you we thank for hosting again - and we did it - a new record!

Vincent - I wonder what the correlation between Dukes of Hazzard t-shirt and cooks is? ;) And thanks so much - bro's doing good. Best wishes to you and your family this new year too!

David - congratulations! You are going to have a blast! Not literally I hope, but you will have the protective eyewear!

Katie B. - WOW! I so wanted the PolyScience Thermal Circulator! I could not believe it when owner and inventor Philip Preston offered one up! And that is weird that you got a vacuum sealer for Christmas - a really good weird. Cannot wait to see what you sous-vide!

Katie - Another awesome prize! I want to see your name up in sausage - please send me a photo!