Skamania Lodge is excited to conclude the “Coeur of Discovery”, a French Master Chef Benefit Dinner, on February 25, 2022. Executive Chef Zac Jansen hosted three outstanding French Master Chefs to create an unforgettable evening.
Imagine a French Master Chef on the Lewis and Clark expedition, also called the “Corps of Discovery”, in awe of the bounty of food and wine offerings provided by the Northwest. The abundant discoveries culminate in a French-inspired evening of six courses that include the most delectable items from the region.
The Cause
100% of ticket sales and auction proceeds were donated to the Blanchet House, a nonprofit organization in Portland providing meals, clothing, and life-saving shelter programs to people in need. The Blanchet House serves 3 meals per day, 6 days per week to anyone who is hungry. Their mission is to alleviate suffering and give hope for a better life. [Get involved at the Blanchet House and Farm]
Blanchet House, Executive Director Scott Kerman says, “I am privileged to join Blanchet House and contribute to the important work that they are doing,” Scott said. “I have a deep respect for the history of this mission. I look forward to supporting and uplifting the staff, working closely with leadership to increase our visibility and impact in this next chapter of the organization’s growth.”
Their History: In 1952, Blanchet House was founded by a group of University of Portland students as a “house of hospitality” in the model of those established by the Catholic Worker Movement. The Blanchet House’s mission derives from Catholic social teaching principles, including honoring the dignity of every person, offering aid to the poor and vulnerable, and solidarity. Our board and staff include persons of various faiths, and we do not proselytize to our clients or guests.
Their Services:
- Men's Residential Program
- Hot Meal Program
- Farm Residential Program
- Clothing Closet
- Hygiene Items
- Sack Lunches
- and More
Sustainability: Rescued food gives Blanchet House the quantity of food needed to serve nutritious and delicious hot meals an average of 1,500 meals a day. After every meal in our Founders Cafe, volunteers knock any leftover food from plates into bins marked for food scraps. These 40-gallon bins of food scraps are turned into slop for Blanchet Farm’s five adult pigs.
The Chefs
French Master Chefs Olivier Gaupin, Philippe Boulot, and Erik Truglass joined with Skamania Lodge Chef Zac Jansen created a French-inspired evening, using the best Northwest products of the season.
Learn more about what inspired the chefs in our latest blog post: French Master Chefs of Coeur of Discovery
The Wine
While each table was represented by a different winery, guests were encouraged to get up, meet new people and try new wines. The event encouraged connection and community with others and honored the Blanchet House whose mission is to offer food, shelter, and aid to those in need of a safe place to be nourished and restored.
Learn about how our General Manager, Ken Daugherty, hand-selected each winery in our latest blog post: Wine by the Choice.
We raised over $22,500 in ticket sales and auction funds towards benefiting the Blanchet House and Farm.
Tune in to watch Ashley on Everyday Northwest at 9a.m. Monday through Friday on Portland's CW.
