Chili Bowl Express returns to Sonoma Community Center

Nonprofit’s major annual fundraiser set for Feb. 10|

Three Cs will come together on Saturday, Feb. 10 when the Sonoma Community Center celebrates its annual Chili Bowl Express: Ceramics, Chili and Community.

More than 450 people are expected to walk through the doors of the Sonoma Community Center’s historic brick building to support the ceramics program and the community of clay students, artist, and instructors that call Sonoma Ceramics home. The price of $30 includes a choice of handmade chili bowl filled with your choice of vegan or meat chili, live music, raffle, silent auction, tea, coffee, dessert, studio demonstrations and gallery exhibition.

More than 600 handcrafted artisanal chili bowls are being made for the event, take your pick of one or more. Fill the bowl with your choice of homemade chili by a local chef and enjoy it with a roomful of friends and neighbors. Chili is courtesy of participating chefs and restaurants including the Girl and the Fig, Chef John McReynolds, Sonoma Golf Club, Valley of the Moon Winery at Madrone Estate, Salt & Stone, Sonoma Market, Hopmonk Tavern, Chef Lisa Lavagetto and Kyle Kuklewski, Ramekins, Sheana Davis of the Epicurean Connection, Wild Thyme Catering, Isa Jacoby, Oenotri, Sushinoma and others.

Kala Stein, the director of ceramics, explains, “Funds raised from this year’s Chili Bowl Express will help to launch our newest initiative to offer youth and family programming at the Center. Beginning in February, we are offering Clayground for pre-schooler and their caretakers, Monthly Family Clay workshops, and a Wednesday after-school series for ages 5-plus. I am thrilled that we are growing at a healthy clip and feel really good about rounding out our programming to serve younger ones in the studio.”

The community can show their support by purchasing raffle tickets, participating in the Silent Auction and the Fund-A-Need, where one can send a child to Kid’s Camp ($200) or buy a bag of clay for a student ($30). Select auction lots include a biplane ride for two courtesy of Coastal Air Tours; MacRostie Winery &Vineyard magnums, tour and tasting; and a group clay class “Carving Spring Vases” with Kate Murphy.

Beverages for purchase are provided by Valley of the Moon Winery at Madrone Estate, which will be pouring Lake Sonoma and Valley of the Moon wines and will also be providing chili for the event.

The Chili Bowl Express will be held at the Sonoma Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, with three seatings at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at sonomacommunitycenter, over the phone at 938-4626 ext. 1. $30, or at the door on Saturday for $35. Advance tickets are strongly recommended. This event is family-friendly and handicapped accessible.

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