Going to the dogs

Animal lovers turned out in force to the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok this month for the third edition of the Scad Foundation’s Wine Harvest Dinner & Auction.
They were welcomed with a Prosecco and Aperole cocktail and Orient-inspired hors d’oeuvres by chef Jacky Chan who laughingly assured everyone that he was no relation to the movie star. Also on hand to say hi were Sue Farley, founder of the event and emcees Andrew Biggs and Natalie Glebova.
They prepared for a fun evening by going through auction catalogue and deciding whether to bid on such great prizes as three days at the Six Senses Soneva Kiri, a Siem Reap Adventure with Best Western Hotels and Resorts including a helicopter trip over Angkor Wat, art pieces, jewellery and a Chateau Haut Brion, 2000 1ere Grand Cru Classe.
Prior to each course, the chef responsible for its creation came up on stage to present the dish. First up was David Thompson of Nahm, who talked about his love for animals before introducing his spicy minced prawns with crunchy rice cakes served in betel leaves. It was paired with Monsoon Valley Colombard 2011 from Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, a perfect match for a spicy dish. 
The second course was Cantonese style steamed Alaskan black cod by Ken Hom and Jacky Chan paired with Palasso Grimani Pinot Grigio, 2009 from Italasia Trading. The black cod was perfectly cooked, tasty, juicy and firm but the wine was a little tired.
The third course was slow braised waygu beef cheek, crushed organic carrot and potato with ginger, polenta crisp, braising jus with nebbiolo, a creation of Marco Riva of Shangri-La Hotel and served with Colle Masari Rigoleto, 2007, Tuscany from Bangkok Beer & Beverages. This was the best pairing of the night from a point of view of taste and the texture, even though the nebbiolo jus was a different varietal from the wine.
Chef Frank Braun, also of the Shangi-La, presented his Macadamia praline chiboust, fig jam and white chocolate cream served with Monsoon Valley Muscat fortified 2010, Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, which was much appreciated by all with a sweet tooth.
The auction raised more than Bt850,000 and Farley was thrilled, saying it would make a big impact on the welfare of animals in Thailand.
Siam Winery’s Kim Wachtveitl spoke briefly about how the company had come to sponsor the wine dinner. “We first met Sue 10 years ago when she offered private cooking classes in her cooking school and paired her dishes with the recently launched Monsoon Valley Wines. She wanted to raise awareness and funds for the Soi Dog as Scad was known then and knew from her time in California that bringing talented chefs and winemakers together for a wine harvest dinner would accomplish it. For Siam Winery and Monsoon Valley, it was a perfect occasion to support a good cause.”
John Dalley, the foundation’s vice president, brought the evening to a close, saying, “On behalf of the hundreds of animals that will benefit directly from the funds raised at this wonderful event, I should like to thank all the sponsors, chefs, volunteers, and the companies and individuals who donated prizes, and of course the Shangri La Hotel for hosting the event.
Most of all I should like to thank Sue Farley, who has again worked tirelessly for the past year to put together what was a truly memorable occasion, and all those who attended and donated so generously to help SDF/SCAD further its work for the stray and neglected animals of Bangkok.”

 
Little woofers
Scad Foundation (Soi Cats And Dogs) is a non-profit animal welfare organisation improving life for the thousands of cats and dogs that roam Bangkok’s chaotic streets. From modest beginnings in 2002 SCAD has grown to be a leader in street animal welfare, running comprehensive sterilisation vaccination, treatment, adoption and education programs to benefit animals and the communities in which they live.