
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991                   TAG: 9103220596
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: AMANDA BARRETT STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PLANNED PARENTHOOD GALA TO DELIGHT PATRONS' PALATES

Picture this: tables filled with shrimp in bourbon sauce, chicken mafiosa, cactus fritters with smoked rabbit and cilantro pesto sour cream, smoked Monterey Brook trout, desserts, natural citrus juices, coffees and Virginia wines.

This is but a small selection of the dishes and beverages that restaurants, caterers and wineries will offer during Planned Parenthood's ninth annual Tasting and Toasting fund-raiser Sunday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Moody Center at Hollins College.

Kathryn Haynie, director of Planned Parenthood, describes the event as "an extravaganza of deliciousness."

"In the last few years, I have wandered from chocolate-dipped fruit to seafood in champagne sauce," Haynie said.

Haynie said the proceeds have varied for the last nine years but last year Planned Parenthood raised $22,000 and netted about $17,000 - this year's goal also.

The money is important for the group's community education and public affairs programs that provide pamphlets and other information to parents and young people, she said.

Tickets for the event are $30 each. Haynie said the price is a "real deal. You couldn't possibly sample a fifth of the kind of food we are offering for $30."

Sales are limited to 600 tickets because organizers want everyone to be able to circulate easily.

The nature of the event is elegant and relaxing. "And Palm Sunday is a feast day - just perfect for the event," Haynie said.

This year's event has drawn 15 restaurants and caterers: Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley, Inn at Gristmill Square/Waterwheel Restaurant, JaMar Desserts Inc., La Galeria Internacional, Martha Washington Inn, Mountain Lake Hotel and Roanoke Restaurant Service, Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, Sheraton Inn Roanoke Airport, Southwest Virginia Chef's Association, Natural Juice Company of Richmond, La Maison, Mr. Su's Chinese Restaurant/Market, Luigi's Italian Gourmet Restaurant, Alexander's Restaurant and Catering and Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea.

Five wineries also are participating: Chateau Morrisette Winery, Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery, Oasis Vineyards, Prince Michel Vineyards and Rapidan River Vineyards and Stonewall Vineyards.

For tickets or more information on Tasting and Toasting, call 362-3968.

by CNB