There’s a saying which goes something like “There will always be someone who has more, and always someone who has less”. Yes, indeed. Always someone who has less….and far, far less at that. This is the time of year that Chez Pim’s annual fundraiser, Menu For Hope unites the worldwide community of food bloggers to help raise money for those less fortunate. Funds raised by Menu For Hope will benefit the hungry vis a vis the UN World Food Programme. Last year, nearly $100,000 was raised and that money went to supporting the school lunch and farming program for the children in Lesotho.

Although Life in Recipes is still in it’s blog infancy at under one year, I am a food blogger, and so very grateful to actively participate in this year’s campaign. I wanted to donate a raffle package that was personal and reflective of my blog, which led to this somewhat random coupling. What do home made almond milk and Chef Michael Symon have in common?

Photo credit: D.T. Ruhlman

Well, the correct answer would be not a whole heck of a lot, aside from recipes being an enormous part of my life and my work, where both the almond milk (I prepare it weekly for clients) and Chef Symon (working on his forthcoming book, Symon Says….Live to Cook), currently figure prominently.

The Code UE19 prize package: my homemade almond milk post remains one of the most popular, and I’ve received many e-mails inquiring as to where I found the beautiful pottery pitcher in the accompanying photo. The first part of my package is a kit for preparing your own almond milk: I’ll supply raw organic almonds, granulated lecithin, agave nectar and straining bags; you will be startled to realize how fresh, sweet and delicious the nut milk is when you make it at home if you’re accustomed to the stuff out of the box. Also included are two gorgeous, caressable, collectible hand thrown mugs by recognized potter, Ellen Shankin, the same woman who crafted the pitcher. The mugs are fired in a similar earthy-drippy glaze. As Ellen writes, “I think there is a deep appreciation for the grace and beauty of well made functional pots. In a gallery setting, however, you can take in only part of what they offer. Over time, through continuous use, you uncover the remainder“. I have been drinking my morning coffee or tea out of Ellen’s mugs for close to fifteen years and still marvel at how satisfying it is to cradle the vessel, warm from the hot brew in my hands; I am still uncovering the remainder.

The second part of my package, Code UE19, is a suitable for framing, personalized, autographed menu from Chef Michael Symon‘s sexy-wonderful Cleveland restaurant Lola. Yes, signed by Cleveland’s own culinary hero, the rockin’-awesome ( I know I’ve used those very same superlatives before, but it’s true), Iron Chef Symon. And like the pottery vessel, as Michael continues to stretch and grow in the culinary arena, we have yet to uncover the remainder. Did I just make an analogy between my coffee cup and Chef Symon for the sake of this post? You betcha. The menu will be personalized for Y.O.U., oh very lucky winner of Life in Recipe’s raffle item. The menu would make a great gift for any Symon fan; something nice for you to peruse while you are drinking chai tea made with your own almond milk while drinking out of your fabulous new mug and wondering what you might order at Lola when you venture into Cleveland…the possibilities are indeed numerous to ponder. A shot at this package, Code UE19, and so many, many sensational others begins with just a $10 donation.

To bid: go to First Giving and bid on item UE19, pretty please. I did say “please”.

The lovely Jaden from Steamy Kitchen is hosting the east coast region, so check her blog where you can view other great prizes.

Donation Instructions…

1. Choose a prize or prizes of your choice from our Menu for Hope at chezpim.com

2. Go to the donation site at “firstgiving.com menu for hope 5″ and make a donation.

3. Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize you’d like in the ‘Personal Message’ section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per prize, and please use the prize code. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02. Please write 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 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.