The Tibetan Aid Project is a Berkeley, CA-based organization that works to preserve and restore Tibet’s cultural and spiritual heritage. For the past three years, the organization has raised funds through an annual Taste and Tribute dinner featuring a range of cuisines. For this year’s event, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, Avantgarde developed a unique mail-out invitation beckoning supporters to the gala dining experience, which showcased nine four-course menus created by 18 renowned chefs. The event raised more than $100,000 for Tibetan Aid, surpassing the 2002 dinner’s fundraising record by more than $50,000.

The Tibetan Aid Project was founded by Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku in 1969 and is staffed entirely by volunteers. The project supports the production and distribution of sacred Tibetan texts and art to Tibetans in Asia. It also provides general assistance to monastic centers, sponsors traditional ceremonies, and works to promote awareness of Tibetan civilization around the world. Avantgarde looks forward to supporting such a worthwhile cause in the years to come.