Serge the Concierge

Lingerie and the Cookie Cutter, a French Prize for Menu for Hope V

As the holidays approach, Victoria Secret bags are even more ubiquitous.

I don't think that you will find anything like this Lingerie Cookie Cutter Set (picture below) in their accessories department, one of the prizes offered by Clotilde of Chocolate & Zucchini for Menu for Hope 5.

Clotilde suggests they are perfect for a Bridal Shower.

Interested in bidding on them, they are Prize Code EU 10 and where donated by French lingerie company Soyelle whose other whimsical offerings include these Post It Notes Corset.

Only in Paris!

More European prizes can be found on Ms. Adventures in Italy which coordinates the effort for the UK and the Continent.

My latest offering: Be a Hipster with Pineau des Charentes, Prize No 3, Menu for Hope V

Be a Hipster with Pineau des Charentes, Prize No 3, Menu for Hope V

No it is not a spelling error, I did not mean to write Pinot, be it Grigio or Noir.

Don't call Pineau des Charentes the poor cousin of Cognac though it is definitely a lesser known quantity.

My 3rd Prize for Menu for Hope 5 is a set of 2 bottles of Pineau des Charentes (one white, one red).
Both are young, aged 3 years.

What is Menu for Hope if you wondered?
It brings bloggers the world over who use their combined power to raise funds for the UN World Food Programme.

Composition for the White Pineau is 1/4 cognac 3/4 wine.
Grape Varieties: Ugni Blanc (which is the predominant grape in Cognac); and Colombard for the wine part.

As for the Red it is 1/4 cognac 3/4 wine.
Grape Varieties: Ugni-blanc; and Merlot for the wine component.

To give you a little background information, Food Reference tells us that "in the town of Segonzac, the capital of Grande Champagne appellation in Cognac, you have many opportunities to taste a range of Pineau – an invention of French viticultural genius. This delightful beverage consists of the juice of locally grown grapes and the distillate derived after it has been fermented and distilled. In other words, Pineau des Charentes is a combination of raw and the finished product. The producer fortifies grape juice with a grape distillate eliminating all yeast, thus stabilizing this versatile sweet but not cloying fortified beverage"

They suggest pairing it with Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola and attribute its lack of popularity in the USA to poor marketing.

One person that fell under the spell of this Aperitif is The Brooklyn Guy Loves Wine who tells us in Pineau des Charentes (January 2008) that after it was "chilled in the fridge for a half hour...what bright and completely enjoyable nip before dinner. So good that I felt like sharing with you, pal. I'm convinced that this is an under-appreciated drink. Try and see what you think."

And you will not break the bank, a bottle sets you back around $20.

So my 3rd Prize for Menu for Hope is 2 bottles of young Pineau des Charentes (one white, one red) from Delpech & Fougerat thanks to the generosity of Sheena and Paul Jones of JTE Spirits, importers of Unique Spirits.

Pineau can be a great base for cocktails or served as a digestif or a dessert wine.
It is a fortified wine.

Prize available for US only.

Retail value: around $40 for both.

Prize Code for this Pineau des Charentes set is UE 30.

How do you go about bidding for prizes?

As in previous years we partnered with First Giving who set up a Donation Page for Menu for Hope V.

Once your mind is set on which prize(s) you want to bid on, make sure you have all the prize code handy.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation.

You must write-in how many tickets per prize, and please use the prize code, for example UE 30 if you have your heart set on this Pineau des Charentes.
If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
Please allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.  Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

All prizes for the East Coast (US) available as of now are listed on Steamy Kitchen courtesy of Jaden Hair.

If you want to see what the rest of the world including our friends on the West Coast have to offer, visit Chez Pim, without who Menu for Hope would not exist.

Previous Offering: Nut Butters for Grown Ups, Nothing Kinky, My 2nd Prize for Menu for Hope 5

Nut Butters for Grown Ups, Nothing Kinky, My 2nd Prize for Menu for Hope 5

What is Menu for Hope if you wondered?
It brings bloggers the world over who use their combined power to raise funds for the UN World Food Programme.

In last year edition of this doing good event, most of my prizes were of the cookie and chocolate kind  so this year, I decided to diversify.

My second prize for Menu for Hope 5 comes to us courtesy of Marilyn's Nut Butters which I discovered at Cook, Eat, Drink in New York. They got started a few months ago and are based in Seattle, Washington.

Nothing kinky with these unique nut butters for grown-ups!

Marilyn says:

"The sweet and/or savory blends of roasted, high-quality organic nuts and seasonings combine to make perfect  spreads, dips, and marinades for any occasion. Choose from combinations like Cinnamon Walnut Pecan, Spicy-hot Pecan, Hazelnut Walnut Chai, Walnut Cashew, and Hazelnut Almond."

Marilyn contributed 3 nut butter jars to our cause. 

Retails at $14.50 a piece ($43.50 for three).

The winner can select her or his desired flavor(s) from the 5 offered.

For those with food allergies, I noted on Marilyn's site that their nut butters are wheat, gluten, dairy, and egg free as well as of animal products of any kind.

So get a chance to spread these and spread the wealth.

The Prize Code for these Nut Butters for Grown Ups is UE 22

How do you go about bidding?

As in previous years we partnered with First Giving who set up a Donation Page for Menu for Hope V.

Once your mind is set on which prize(s) you want to bid on, make sure you have all the prize code handy.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation.

You must write-in how many tickets per prize, and please use the prize code, for example UE 22 if you have your heart set on this Nut Butters Set.
If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
Please allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.  Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

All prizes for the East Coast (US) available as of now are listed on Steamy Kitchen courtesy of Jaden Hair.

If you want to see what the rest of the world including our friends on the West Coast have to offer, visit Chez Pim, without who Menu for Hope would not exist.

Related: In Pole Position for Menu for Hope 5: 16 Creative Sweets, My 1st Prize

In Pole Position for Menu for Hope 5: 16 Creative Sweets, My 1st Prize

Monday, December 15, 2008 marks the Kick Off for Menu for Hope 5.

What is Menu for Hope?
It brings bloggers the world over who use their combined power to raise funds for the UN World Food Programme.

Who does it benefit?
As Pim of Chez Pim who started it all notes:

"This year's Menu for Hope will again benefit the school lunch program in Lesotho, as well as support the WFP's local procurement initiative, which contracts local farmers to grow food to supply the feeding program. You'll be hearing more about this program and the children and farmers who benefited from our support last year throughout this campaign. Stay tuned for more."

Last year's effort brought in more than $90,000 (US).

Even though we got a late start for this Fifth Edition of Menu for Hope, our friend Oliver Kita who last year was kind enough to offer his Chocolate Buddha was ready to contribute as soon as we contacted him.

Rather than stick with a 1 flavor fits all prize, Oliver decided to contribute A Box of his Studio Collection.
Call it 16 Creative Sweets in an array of colors and flavors from spicy to sweet and salty and back. It retails for $40.

Here's an idea (picture below) of what it might look like when you lift the lid on this box of delicacies or bonbon as Oliver calls them.

Don't lick your fingers yet.

To have a chance to put your hands and your lips on this definitely sweet and sinful treat, you will have to give in order to get...The Prize Code for this Studio Box is: UE 17.

How do you go about bidding?

As in previous years we partnered with First Giving who set up a Donation Page for Menu for Hope V.

Once your mind is set on which prize(s) you want to bid on, make sure you have all the prize code handy.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation.

You must write-in how many tickets per prize, and please use the prize code, for example UE 17 if you have your heart set on this Studio Box.
If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
Please allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win.  Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

All prizes for the East Coast (US) available as of now are listed on Steamy Kitchen courtesy of Jaden Hair.

If you want to see what the rest of the world including our friends on the West Coast have to offer, visit Chez Pim, without who Menu for Hope would not exist.

More prizes will be added in the coming days so stay tuned.

Related: Menu for Hope V...Ready for Take Off, Monday, December 15...Benefits UN World Food Programme

Menu for Hope V...Ready for Take Off, Monday, December 15...Benefits UN World Food Programme

Tis the season for giving...

I know money might be too tight to mention this 2008 Holiday Season yet it always feels good to be part of good deeds.

Even though I do not have all the details yet, I heard earlier this week from our friend Pim Techamuanvivit of Chez Pim fame that the Menu for Hope 5 rocket was getting ready for take off on Monday, December 15.

This once a year event involves bloggers the world over offering food and wine related prizes that you are invited to bid on. Minimum bid is $10.

All profits from the auction go to the UN World Food Programme which will need our help this year more than ever.

One thing we are lending support to through this fundraising is the School Lunch and farming program in Lesotho.

In 2007, our combined effort raised over $90,000.

Want more details, read What is Menu for Hope? (Chez Pim, December 2007)

This will be our 3rd year participating.

Pay us a visit on Monday to check our first prize (more will follow)...

Related: Our Menu for Hope 4 stories