Community Dinner: Just for Pun (To Go Option)

A one-plate dinner packed to go. Review our registration and cancellation policies here. 

Pop in for April’s Community Dinner, where our very own Chef Mike and Community Programs Manager, Elise, are teaming up to welcome Spring in the only way they know how - with tasty food and terrible jokes. Mike and Elise have been joyfully cooking together since 2017, creating menus that range from unintentionally burnt oranges, uncomplicated happy hour bites, to daily online classes. You may have seen the two of them having a grate time bantering over Zoom while sharing puns and always questioning when the salt went into a recipe. Grab a spot at either seating as we open our doors for you to join in the shared love and respect that Mike and Elise have for our 18 Reasons community and each other.

Note: A ticket will enable you to pick up a packed meal anytime between 6:30-8:30 pm by checking in at the front door. If you prefer to dine-in, please book dine-in tickets for our first seating from 6-7 pm here and our second seating from 7:30-8:30 pm here. We are limiting our dine-in capacity at 35 people per seating; you are unable to transfer a "To Go Only" ticket for indoor dining if the dine-in tickets are sold out.

MENU

Twice Baked Goat Cheese Souffles

Salad of Chicories with a Burnt Orange Dressing

Fava Bean Tartine - featuring Peter’s Peck of Pickled Peppers

Pecan Tart with Miso Caramel

This menu contains the following common allergens: Dairy, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Tree Nuts. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions that concern your ability to attend, please e-mail info@18reasons.org before purchasing a ticket. Because we are cooking in large batches, we are very limited in accommodating allergens and dietary restrictions.

Born and raised in Colorado, Elise Hayashi grew up in a family where knowing how to use a paring knife was more important than riding a bicycle. This sparked her passion for food and cooking at an early age, and she enthusiastically relocated to the Bay Area to pursue a BA in Nutrition Science at UC Berkeley. Outside of the classroom, Elise helped implement childhood obesity and exercise research with the Nutrition Policy Institute, and also worked as a pastry assistant to fill her free time with galettes and mousses. After graduation, she spent time abroad working on an organic farm where she gained an appreciation for the labor and commitment that goes into producing food everyday. Now, she is excited about being a part of 18 Reasons to merge her gastronomic backgrounds and to share her love of food with the Bay Area community. During the rare moments when she is not eating, Elise can be found trying out new sports, playing and listening to live music, or wandering the aisles of grocery stores and farmers' markets.

Born in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, Mike Weller grew up in suburbs of San Jose, where he discovered cooking as his first profession and lifetime passion. After wandering through typical teenage jobs at pizza joints and ice cream parlors, Mike’s first “restaurant” job was with Sambo’s Coffee Shops, slinging hash and cooking eggs for the bar rush and Sunday breakfast crowds. He moved on to help open several restaurants, attend the California Culinary Academy, and study under European chefs with Michelin backgrounds. Later, Mike served as an executive chef for catering companies, wineries and country clubs. When his son was born, Mike transitioned his career into teaching, returning to the CCA where he eventually became the Executive Chef and Director of Academics. Having taught for Le Cordon Bleu North America, Mike is thrilled to return to teaching in a neighborhood-based community. When he is not teaching, he tends to his backyard garden, helps his wife to can and preserve food, and loves to cook for his friends and family.

ABOUT COMMUNITY DINNER

Once a month, we open our doors to friends new and old, welcoming all to our share a table and a delicious meal. Every month is something different, but tickets are always $18 and always tasty. Wine and beer are for sale at the event. Kids welcome! 

_{Photo courtesy of Sarah Nelson}