I am writing this as HURRICANE RITA approaches the coast of Texas, having built itself into a Category 5 monster. Hopefully, when this comes out, the storm will have diffused itself and just caused a scare. Meanwhile, the beat goes on with the hurricane relief efforts around the country, including our own right here.

Yesterday, I had the unique experience of witnessing a photo shoot at the MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM for the upcoming COMMUNITY FEEDS OUR NATION event on Oct. 7. It brought together TODD FISHER, TONY BAKER and JEFF JAKE, the three key players in the creation of this event. They had all worked for TONY TOLLNER at Montrío back in the day (Tony presently the Executive Chef there) so they are great friends. Also present was BERT CUTINO, who needs no introduction, and John Pisto (ditto). HUNTER FINNELL was also on hand as the media professional (and a great one he is) of the group. It was a frigid morning but the stalwart chefs managed it with no problem.

SEAN ALLEN, owner of Trailside Café in Monterey, provided fresh-made beignets, a New Orleans classic, along with fresh-brewed coffee for the gathering. He serves beignets at Trailside year round.

It was the first time that particular combination of chefs had been together for anything, and it was a pretty monumental occasion. In fact, I noticed a number of the fish stop swimming and gather near the glass to get a better look. Boy I’d love to have about two dollars for every person those five have fed in their lives. They’ll be just five of the 50 or so chefs on hand for the big event on Oct. 7. Check out the Web site, beautifully and generously brought by the folks at Byte Technology: www.byte-technology.com/aid for the latest updates about where, when, how, etc. You better know the why already. Still looking for interesting auction items for that night, if you have something (or things) give MICHELLE JONES a shout please, 261-7257 or mdyer2@hotmail.com, thanks.

I’M BACK… I apologize again to all you who’ve been sending me stuff the past couple of weeks. I’ve been so caught up in this hurricane stuff that I’ve been ignoring you all. Let’s get caught up a little bit and try to get back in the game here.

First of all, Thursday, Sept. 29, hurry yourself on over to the courtyard of the CARMEL MISSION (what a beautiful setting) for the 17th Annual Taste of Carmel. My man TOM NASH, a local longtime food and wine guy and great advocate for the industry (rumor has it he was once the food/wine writer for the Monterey Herald) called me up to beat the drums about this event, which is featuring all the hitters from Carmel (and a bit outside): Marinus, Portabella, Cielo of Ventana, Christopher’s, Club XIX, Carmel Chop House, Grasing’s, Peppoli, Joullian Vineyards, J. Lohr, Jekel, Chalone Group, Bernardus, Boete, Parsonage, Heller Estates, Chateau Julien, etc., etc. Hurry now, 624-2522 or just show up at 6pm and get yourself in there.

Here’s a guaranteed epicurean home run: HARVEST FEAST CELEBRATION, at Montrío on Oct. 1 at 6:30pm, pairing local bounty (boy a typo there and we could have local booty) and wines by the boutique classic, Tantara. Executive Chef Tony Baker will be preparing a seven-course gourmet feast from all natural meats, sustainable seafood and organic produce from Serendipity Farms, Blue Horizon Organic Seafood and Fulton Valley Farms, while Tantara’s winemaker BILL CATES will be on hand to talk about the great Tantara wines, including the Gary’s Vineyard and Pisoni Vineyard Pinots. By the way, there will be limited availability of these sold-out wines for sale to wine dinner guests through Rancho Cellars, which will have a representative on hand that night. Call now for seating, 648-8880.

On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6pm, find out what this country’s about by joining the Second Annual YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS Harvest Dance. It will be at Chapin Pines (The Don Chapin Company) at 440 Crazy Horse (that used to be one of my nicknames) Road in Prunedale. This fundraiser will directly benefit three local food banks; Monterey County Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Banks of San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. I know there is a tremendous demand on your time and money right now, but it’s a good time to give man, the giving mojo is working hard right now. Plus, you can have a good time while doing it. Tickets are only $25 bucks and can be purchased through the Farm Bureau or any YF&R member. Contact KRYSTAL THOMSEN, 320-5075 or krystal.thomsen@driscolls.com.

On Oct. 15 at 6pm, it’s the First Annual FLAVORS OF THE WORLD Charity Fundraiser, put on by Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. Spend the evening strolling to music and tasting international flavors featuring cuisine from around the world paired with specially-themed cocktails prepared by Chef Cal Stamenov of Bernardus Lodge, Chef Todd Fisher of Hullaballoo and Chicken Scratch Flats, plus Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant as well as the Culinary Center of Monterey.

There will be a live auction plus dancing to the music of The City Lights Band. Each guest will receive a passport to be stamped at each of the food stations. The event will cost $175 per couple and be held at a private estate (clue: not my house) in Monterey with all proceeds going to benefit Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization of educators and agriculturalists dedicated to fostering respect for and appreciation of Monterey County’s number one industry. Call CONNIE QUINLAN at 455-8177 to jump on this wagon.

Stop by Zeph’s One-Stop in Salinas on Oct. 1 from 4-7pm for a wine tasting and auction to help CHRIS MUELLER raise money for the fight against Leukemia. Contact Chris at chris@topherpages.com as well as jchezem@gmail.com for more.

Monday, Oct. 10 (Monday is a great night of the week to go out, all the industry folk are out then), get to L’Auberge Carmel for a rare Abalone Tasting Dinner Menu with special guest ART SEAVEY (cool guy) from the Monterey Abalone Company. My guess is Chef WALTER MANZKE will knock the socks off everybody and the wine pairings will be perfect. Seating is always limited at L’Auberge, so call now, 624-8578.

The Aquarium is continuing its special dinner series at the ocean-view Portola Restaurant, featuring gourmet meals prepared by Aquarium Executive CHEF DORY FORD. On Oct. 16, enjoy the wines of Jordan Winery from Healdsburg. The event runs from 6:30 until 9pm, and is $50 per person for Aquarium members and their guests, $62 per person for non-members. Call 648-4962 for rezzies.

GREEN ENERGY… Congratulations to all the folks at DEL MONTE CENTER. On Sept. 21 during the Help Rebuild Over Dinner promotion, $36,690 was raised by the participating restaurants and shops that donated 20 to 50 percent of their total sales that evening. Thanks to California Pizza Kitchen, Marie Callender’s, Chipotle, El Indio, Cold Stone Creamery and Pizza My Heart along with Macy’s—they matched the take dollar for dollar. KWAV 97 FM and Magic 63 AM provided a free concert for everyone at Del Monte Center…way to go y’all.