Soif is thrilled to welcome Katy Oursler and Stephen Beaumier of Mutari Chocolate, in collaboration with Soif's own Chef Mark Denham, for a dinner based on the noble cacao pod. Katy and Stephen are well known to Bay Area bon vivants. Katy guided Santa Cruz's own Outstanding In The Field to international prominence before heading her own events business. Stephen has worked in some of the finest kitchens in the world, including Cyrus, Quince and Copenhagen's Noma. They recently purchased Mutari and the general assessment is that Santa Cruz's delicious factor is racing toward 11.

Katy and Stephen recently returned from a trip to Guatemala and Belize to visit several farmers from whom they are purchasing cacao beans and they will regale the crowd with tales of cacao plants, the farmers who tend them, and the jungle in which they grow.

This will be no add-sweet-chocolate-to-something-and-hope-for-the-best affair. These chefs have some very serious chops and experience with chocolate-based cuisine. All parts of the bean will be showcased including pulp, husk, nib along with the more famous bits. The menu - pending the availability of few items - will looking very much like this:

Amuse - ceviche w/cacao pulp
2015 Ameztoi Txakolina Rosado - Basque Country, Spain

First Course - Artichoke & white chocolate barigoule w/avocado
2013 Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner - Wachau, Austria

Second Course - Pork belly braised and rubbed w/
cacao husk, germ & nib
2014 Scala Dei Garnaxta - Priorat, Spain

Dessert - Chocolate extravaganza
2010 Passagem Late Bottled Vintage Port - Douro Valley, Portugal

Finish - Single Origin sipping chocolate

The cost is $75 excluding tax & gratuity.