It may be a dog-eat-dog world out there, but you can support your four-legged friends by attending next Wednesday’s Cooking Party Benefit for Pets Unlimited! Parties That Cook will be hosting the bash at the Sur La Table Union Square store next Wednesday night from 6:30 -8:30 pm. For a minimum donation of $75, you’ll learn to cook (and eat!) a bounty of appetizer dishes. Wine and beverages are provided, too! It’s a fabulous deal and for a great cause! 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Pets Unlimited, a non-profit community services organization that ensures the humane care and treatment of animals.

At Parties That Cook, we have a special place in our heart for Pets Unlimited. MeToo (pictured above) is an honorary member of the Parties That Cook family. He was adopted from Pets Unlimited just last month, and has declared himself right at home with our Founder and Executive Chef, Bibby Gignilliat. Bibby, who will be hosting the benefit, also has two other kitties from Pets Unlimited: Ruby the sweetheart, and Stinker who’s quite mischievous! We encourage all pet lovers to come show their support!

Cooking Party Benefit for Pets Unlimited
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
6:30 – 8:30 pm at Sur La Table Union Square
Note: Event is for humans only, so please leave Rover at home!

To sign up for the Cooking Party Benefit for Pets Unlimited, please call 415-568-3081 or email donations@petsunlimited.org

A peek at what’s on the menu….
Paws-itively Scrumptious Ahi Tuna Tartare in Sesame Won Ton Cups
Lamb and Beef Köfte with Soft Feta Centers and growling-good Garlicky Tahini
Polpettini you’ll roll over for: Little Meatballs Braised in Tomatoes, Garlic and White Wine
Pup-ular Porcini Mushroom and Fontina Puff Pastry Tartlets
Crab Potstickers with meowth-watering Sesame-Ginger Dipping Sauce
Fetching Sweet Potato Galette Frisbees with Sage Crème Fraîche*
Lickable Lettuce Cups with Minced Gingered Chicken
Bark-tastic Mexican Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Submit your dish. The best recipe wins a private cooking party for 16.

Since last week’s posting about a feisty cooking competition among the Parties That Cook staff, we’ve received a slew of emails from home chefs wishing they could get in on a piece of the cooking action. In the name of good food, we feel it’s our duty to answer your call!

Grab your knife and spatula….You’ve officially been challenged to the first-ever Virtual Cook-Off brought to you by Parties That Cook!

Send us your most original appetizer recipe with photo to cookoff@partiesthatcook.com by April 30th, 2008. Include your name, contact info, and a couple of lines about why your dish should win. Entries will be judged on originality, taste, and presentation. Your recipe should be mind-blowingly delicious and possible to prepare in an hour or less. One entry per person, please.

We will eat our way through the entries and announce a winner on May 20th. The first prize winner will receive a private cooking party for 16, courtesy of Parties That Cook ($1200 value, redeem in San Francisco Bay Area or Chicago). Runners up will win tickets to our Gourmet Dating events or the Sumptuous Small Plates recipe card deck, featuring PTC’s best recipes and entertaining tips. The winning recipes will be inducted into the culinary hall of fame here on The Side Dish, and have the chance to become the next hit dish at our Parties That Cook events.

*Read the Official Contest Rules*