Culinary Round Up
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Since 2010, Rancho Cielo’s annual Culinary Round Up has provided our guests with a unique opportunity to meet and see our culinary students in action. It’s an evening of fun, food and libations with a Western flair, including an exciting raffle and silent and live auctions.
Proceeds from the event benefit our culinary program and all youth programs at Rancho Cielo, where students can earn a high school diploma, gain hands-on training and earn industry certifications. If not for supporters like you, opportunities like this would not exist.
All food and beverages, as well as raffle and auction items, are generously donated by local businesses and help generate the additional funds we need to serve our students. If you or your business would like to support the event, we offer a range of sponsorship opportunities that can showcase your dedication to helping our local youth and demonstrate your commitment to giving back to our community.
Tickets are $195 per person. Includes food, local wine, beer and other libations—and access to Rancho Cielo’s silent and live auctions and raffle.
Starting this year, we are excited to partner with the City of Monterey to host the auction at the Monterey Conference Center. The main culinary event will remain in the Portola Hotel & Spa De Anza Ballroom. This change allows us to expand and create more space to enjoy Monterey County’s premier culinary event!
The Experience
For foodies, oenophiles and beer enthusiasts alike, there’s nothing better than an evening filled with elegant food and beverages, especially when the cuisine is prepared by some of the finest chefs from across the Monterey Peninsula and the up-and-coming culinary students of our Drummond Culinary Academy.
Set the scene in a beautiful ballroom where you can stroll at your own pace,
sampling some of the finest local wines and craft beers to pair with
innovative small plates, each composed of ingredients fresh from the bounty of Monterey County.
At each table you visit, you will be able to meet each student and hear how their journey led them to that moment—and where they hope their culinary training will lead. They have overcome significant hardships to pursue their passion for cooking and food. Participating in the Culinary Round Up helps build their repertoire as they prepare for additional training, internships, and work in the hospitality industry.
This is an exciting networking event for everyone, especially students, who are connecting with expert chefs from local restaurants who may be willing to hire them after graduation.
Live Auction
Guests of the Culinary Round Up can participate in our live auction, which will be held this year at the Monterey Conference Center. All proceeds directly benefit Rancho Cielo youth and provide opportunities to help transform their futures through high school education, hands-on vocational training and more.
Featured Items
1952 MG TD Roadster
Experience the charm of classic British motoring with this stunning 1952 MG TD. Finished in crisp white over a rich green leather interior, this roadster perfectly captures the “T-Series” elegance that sparked a global love for sports cars. A timeless collector’s piece, this MG TD is ready for the open road or the concours lawn.
TEQUILA & CARNE ASADA AT CASA CABRERA
Enjoy a party for 12 at the Cabrera Ranch, where guests will be treated to a one-of-a-kind tequila tasting featuring selections from Ricky Cabrera’s private collection. Dinner will feature carne asada, stories and much more. Transportation provided.
DINNER AT RANCHO CIELO’S DRUMMOND CULINARY ACADEMY (UP TO 18 GUESTS)
Prepare your palate for a memorable evening of gourmet extravagance as top local chefs team up with Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy students to craft a magical dining experience. Each refined course will be artfully crafted from the finest ingredients, blending innovation with timeless culinary techniques. But the experience doesn’t stop there. Every dish will be perfectly paired with the region’s finest wines, hand-selected to complement and elevate each bite. This is a celebration of fine food, world-class wine and the artistry of exceptional chefs working alongside aspiring chefs. Whether you’re a devoted foodie, a wine connoisseur, or someone who loves good times, this will be a truly epic night.
CARMEL VALLEY FARM HARVEST EXPERIENCE
Immerse yourself in a stunning Carmel Valley property, previously the Hank Ketchum Estate, now thoughtfully restored and registered as a historic resource in Monterey County. Featured in Sunset Magazine and California Homes, the estate offers breathtaking scenery and a deep connection to the land, with a variety of gardens and a vineyard. As you explore the grounds, you will take part in a hands-on culinary workshop with Hollie Jackson of H Jackson Events, harvesting seasonal ingredients and learning how they inspire the meal to come. Depending on the season, you may craft dried-flower place cards or participate in berry picking or dahlias. The experience concludes with a thoughtfully prepared farm-driven lunch by Hollie Jackson, showcasing the full bounty of the estate, paired with estate wines and served beneath an 85-year-old Concord grapevine arbor. All guests will take home a Comstock Farm & Kitchen gift box filled with locally crafted small-batch foods.
DEMO DINNER AT BERNARDUS WITH CHEF GUS
Experience a seasonally inspired four-course tasting menu with Bernardus wine pairings, brought to life through an interactive cooking demonstration by Chef Gustavo Trejo in the Harvest Room’s Sub-Zero Wolf demo kitchen.
MORE TO COME!
All items are subject to change. Community members have generously donated these exclusive items to support Rancho Cielo’s life-changing programs.
Sponsorship Opportunities
This memorable evening features outstanding culinary dishes, exceptional wines and the inspiring talent of our Drummond Culinary Academy students, showcasing their knowledge live!
Our vocational programs assist nearly 200 students annually. Along with career training, Rancho Cielo provides academic support and essential wraparound services, helping young people build confidence, skills and a clear path to success.
Contact Joanne Bravo at jbravo@ranchocieloyc.org or 831-444-3530 for more details on how your sponsorship directly supports these life-changing opportunities.
Friday Night Dinner
Love Culinary Round Up? Join us at the Drummond Culinary Academy Dining Room at Rancho Cielo on a Friday evening (see our Reservations page for dates and times). The students also prepare and serve gourmet meals for the public.
Guests can choose options from a seasonal, three-course prix fixe menu of contemporary California cuisine that speaks to the bounty and culture of the Salinas Valley and the students themselves. It is also a unique opportunity to participate in their learning, which is as much hospitality and culinary training as an empowerment journey.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
