Menu for Hope 6 - American Wagyu Beef by Morgan Ranch @ GFC

Most of our long time readers by now are familiar with our end of the year fund raising efforts for Menu for Hope. For those not familiar, let me briefly explain.

At the end of each year, food bloggers across the globe have united to run a world wide raffle to raise money for charity. The UN World Food Programme has always been the beneficiary of this charity drive. That has not changed this year, however, we will be supporting a new initiative called Purchase for Progress (P4P).

P4P enables smallholder and low-income farmers to supply food to WFP’s global operation. P4P helps farmers improves farming practices and puts more cash directly into their pockets in return for their crops. This will also help buoy local economy by creating jobs and income locally. We food bloggers understand the importance of buying locally and supporting our local farms, P4P helps do the same for farmers in low income countries around the world.

Cool! How can I help?

For each $10 you donate, you will get one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. At the end of the campaign (December 14-25), the raffle tickets are drawn and the results announced on Chez Pim.

Like what kind of items?

How about dinner in New York with New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov? A dinner for two with wine pairing at Manresa? A wine vacation at Meadowood Resort in Napa? A custom made Japanese chef's knife? Dinner for 8 at Momofuku Ssäm Bar? Lighting kits for the photography nerds? These have all been items raffled off in the past. You'll be able to check out this year's bid item list on Chez Pim. They are divided into regions by blogger, but you can bid on items from any region. Or you can save yourself some time and just put all of your raffle tickets towards our great bid items.

Morgan Ranch - Gourmet American Wagyu/Kobe Beef

Once again, Morgan Ranch has been generous enough to provide us with amazing prize packages. Morgan Ranch has been breeding Wagyu in Burwell, Nebraska since the early 1990's using genetic stock acquired directly from Japan. One of the first Wagyu breeders in the United States, Morgan Ranch was also one of the few to pass stringent genetic, management and production requirements for shipping the prized beef back to Japan. Morgan Ranch remains one of the largest producers of Wagyu beef in the country.

So a special thanks goes out to Morgan Ranch for providing us with, not one, but two different Wagyu Beef bid items to be raffled off.

Morgan Ranch American Wagyu Coulettes

Taken from the sirloin, this French cut gives the Wagyu (American Kobe) Steak an exceptionally soft and sweet flavor. Since the Morgan Wagyu coulette steak is bit leaner in its makeup, its subtle, pleasant flavor makes it great for serving either carved as medallions or whole as a Chateaubriand. You'll receive 2 coulettes.

$125 value** BID ITEM CODE: UE28

Morgan Ranch American Wagyu Family BBQ Collection

This combination is perfect for a family barbecue. With 5 lbs. of ground beef, 4 sirloin steaks, and a pound of kabobs, adults and children alike will all find a favorite dish among this collection. It's a perfect way to become familiar with Wagyu (American Kobe) Beef.

$125 value** BID ITEM CODE: UE29

**Includes free 2nd day shipping within the continental US.

How Do I Donate and Enter the Menu for Hope Raffle?

Here's what you need to do:
1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list.
2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation.
3. Please specify which bid item you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code.
Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 - 2xEU01, 3xEU02.
4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.
5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

Check back on Chez Pim on Monday, January 18 for the results of the raffle.

Good luck and thank you in advance to all who donate. Happy holidays to all!

BID ITEMS LISTS:
Europe (hosted by David Lebovitz)
Asia Pacific (hosted by Ed of Tomatom)
USA: East Coast (hosted by Helen of Tartelette)
USA: West Coast (hosted by Shauna of Gluten Free Girl)
Canada (hosted by Tara of Seven Spoons)
Wine prizes (hosted by Alder at Vinography)

Donate: At the Menu for Hope 6 donation site on firstgiving.com.

RELATED LINKS:
Sponsors: Thanks to Morgan Ranch for supplying us with some great gourmet wagyu beef to give away.
Taste Magazine Takes a Look at Morgan Ranch's Wagyu Beef and Falls in Love!
Wall Street Journal Puts Morgan Ranch Wagyu To The (Taste) Test.
HOW TO: Wagyu Beef Cooking tips
Help the Omaha Food Bank