The Big Finish: Alinea at Home/Share Our Strength final results and prize winners

You guys, I'm blown away.

You all donated $10,118 to Share Our Strength.

That's FANTASTIC!  Thank you!

Courtesy of Twitter and the random number generator at Random.org:

The cookbook winners were: Trina Smith, Adam Teitelbaum, Kurt Libby, Sally Newton, Kate in St. Louis, and Matt Barr.

The four winners of the two Central Michel Richard gift certificates, Whole Foods gift card, and Alinea Starter Kit are still being sorted out -- one of the winners is on vacation (according to his email autoreply), but everyone who won has been notified directly via email, so congrats!

And, the winner of the stay and dinner at The Sheppard Mansion is Bill Colwell and his wife, Robin.

Thank you to everyone who donated, as well as to those who supplied the giveaway items.

Oh, and since we went over $10,000, it looks like I'll be eating softshell crab with durian.  However, while typing that last sentence, I just now realized that softshells aren't in season until the 2nd or 3rd week of May, so let me figure out a workaround on that.  I'll eat durian, for sure, but if you have suggestions for something other than my eating softshell crabs, hit me in the comments.  Or, if you want me to wait until May to eat the crab and durian together, I'll do that.  Your call.  I leave the decision in your able, typing fingers.

Thanks again, you guys.  $10,118.  I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you and how supportive you are of Share Our Strength.  You're the best!

Be back soon... but until then?  Jazz hands!

Comments

[Mike Fincham]

Congrats to you and your readers. A truly impressive and inspirational effort.

[Cucumber Pandan]

Congratulations on meeting those donation goals! Love your blogs (been following you since "French Laundry at Home").

I'm writing to you from Jakarta (a.k.a. "The Big Durian"). Can't wait to see you eat the King of fruit! :)

I grew up eating (and loving) durian in Indonesia, it wasn't until I moved to the U.S. as a teenager that I discovered that it had quite a stinky reputation among (mostly) non-Asians :D.

Just a suggestion: to soften the blow and gradually 'train' your senses, maybe you should try eating durian *ice cream* first? (it should be available in Asian supermarkets).

Looking forward for that post!

[Marisa]

And fah-lap ball change to you!

[Mel]

each time i visit your blog, you have me smiling! :-)

drinking slightly salted water following durian does help. and I know this sounds slightly odd, but it's the way I used to cope with durian feasts in the few years I lived in Singapore, where many people love it!

good luck!

[Sally]

Congratulations on your amazing fundraising job!

I still cannot quite believe I got one of the prizes... seems so unreal!

I guess durian will never taste so good for you... :-)

[Tim]

How about Gye Muchim, the kim chi made with blue crab? Even David Chang says it's nasty.

[Melody Fury]

That kicks so much ass :) Awesome of you to use your influence to give back and to motivate others to do so.

[O.C.]

Got the thank you for my donation today! So, thank you for the thank you note! That was very classy. :-)

I love the blog. Always entertaining!

[amber]

You should be applauded for raising so much money - well done!!

[Mielle]

Just discovered your blog today and I'm thrilled! Congratulations on your blog and all your work! I live in Madrid and just attended Madrid Fusion with Grant Achatz as one of the speakers. You must come next year! One suggestion (and I'm not a salesman!) - the best all-time blender is the Thermomix. I'm not sure if they sell it in the U.S. Check it out!