Culinary Round Up
Since 2010, Rancho Cielo’s annual Culinary Round Up has provided a unique opportunity for our guests to meet and see our culinary students in action. It’s an evening of fun, food and libations with a Western flair, including an exciting raffle and live auction.
Proceeds from the event benefit the culinary program at Rancho Cielo, where the students have a pathway to earning their high school diploma while gaining hands-on culinary training and earning industry certifications. If not for supporters like you, opportunities like this—to test their skills, to learn service, presentation, and plating for large events—would not exist.
All of the food and beverages, as well as raffle and auction items, are generously donated by local businesses and help generate additional funds needed for us to serve our students.
Stay tuned for more information about our 15th Annual Culinary Round Up on Sunday, February 23, 2025!
The Experience
For foodies, oenophiles, and beer enthusiasts alike, there’s nothing better than an evening filled with elegant food and beverages, especially when the cuisine is prepared by some of the finest chefs from across the Monterey Peninsula and the up-and-coming culinary students of our Drummond Culinary Academy.
Set the scene in a beautiful ballroom where you can stroll at your own pace,
sampling some of the finest local wines and craft beers to pair with
innovative small plates, each composed of ingredients fresh from the bounty of Monterey County.
At each table you visit, you will be able to meet each student and hear how their journey led them to that moment—and where they hope their culinary training will lead. They have overcome major hardships to pursue their passion for cooking and food. Participating in the Culinary Round Up helps build their repertoire as they prepare for additional training, internships, and work in the hospitality industry.
This is an exciting networking event for everyone—most importantly for the students, who are connecting with expert chefs from local restaurants who may be willing to hire them after graduation.
Check out highlights from our 14th Annual Culinary Round Up below!
Alternatively, if you are reading about this for the first time or have attended the event and loved it, join us at the Drummond Culinary Academy Dining Room at Rancho Cielo on a Friday evening (see our Reservations page for dates and times). The students also prepare and serve gourmet meals for the public.
Guests can choose options from a seasonal, three-course prix-fixe menu of contemporary California cuisine that speaks to the bounty and culture of the Salinas Valley and the students themselves. It is also a unique opportunity to participate in their learning, which is as much hospitality and culinary training as an empowerment journey.
Get Involved
We are always in need of volunteers to support this event. Please contact volunteer@ranchocieloyc.org if you’d like to help with the 2025 Culinary Round Up.
