The Peasant and the Pear hosted its annual “Customer Appreciation Party” on November 16, to thank loyal patrons and to help feed the hungry. Admission to the party? Customers were asked to bring some canned goods or other nonperishables to help stock the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano Counties.
Joan Tomasini, a coordinator from the Food Bank said, “Our local food bank feeds 76,000 people in Contra Costa County and 32,000 people in Solano Country per month.” Last year’s event raised over $1,800 in cash and lots of food. She was hoping that this evening would be as successful.
Boy Scout Troop #803 was also there for the annual “Scouting for Food” program. “Scouting for Food” aims to collect and donate over 1 million pounds of food in the Bay Area this year. Boy Scouts Carl Bergsten and Ben Wischhover, both 15, are freshmen at Monte Vista High School. They were impressed with the generosity of the donors. Less than two hours into the event, they had filled the food bank van.
Bergsten said, “We didn’t anticipate collecting nearly this much, this fast. This is one of the best drives we’ve ever had.” Wischhover agreed, “We feel really lucky to collect this amount, given the uncertain economy.” When I asked the boys why they thought people were so eager to donate, they said in unison, “Rodney Worth.”
Rodney Worth, chef and owner of The Peasant and the Pear, was named “Best Chef of the East Bay” last year. Rodney is no stranger to accolades, he also garnered the “Best New Restaurant” honor in 2006, his first year in Danville. Local food lovers have adopted Rodney and his wife Natalie, like new family members. Tami Bean from SevenNightsLive.com said, “Rodney’s warm personality and fantastic hospitality make this kind of night happen.” Rodney loves his guests—he frequently popped out of the kitchen to greet them while he created the party’s tasty treats.
Menu morsels included; gourmet cheese platters, chicken and steak skewers, mini beef wellingtons, meatballs in sun-dried tomato cream sauce, smoked chicken salad, shrimp salad sandwiches and more, all complimented by free-flowing wine! A delicious array of desserts was also served.
Jerry Carbone, whose wife Joanna won the evening’s raffled bottle of Cristal, called Rodney, “The best! He has promoted so much good for the area. He is also a big supporter of our local schools. Tonight is as much a tribute to him, as it is a fundraiser.”
I surveyed the packed house. I felt like I was attending a rock star’s concert as I tried to glide through the crowd looking for the “food god” himself. From across the room, I could see Rodney’s beaming smile and hear his earnest and down-to-earth chuckle as he chatted with his customers.
Worth was thankful for all the support and felt that it was his duty to give back to a community that has encouraged him. “As a chef,” he says, “it’s natural for me to want to feed people. Food is essential for life and I’m glad I can feed loyal customers and those in need, too.”
The Peasant and the Pear broke last year’s record, with $2,250 raised, in addition to 1,090 pounds of food!
You can still help. Simply go to: www.FoodBankCCS.org. For more information about The Peasant and the Pear, visit: www.ThePeasantandthePear.com.
Boy scouts of Troop 803 pictured above in photo at left are Josh Gorski (top), Michael Nash (kneeling), Carl Bergsten and Tyler Brecke. In photo at right are Ben Wishhover, Josh Gorski, Carl Bergten, Michael Nash, Tyler Breke and Chef Rodney Worth.