Dear Friend of Ron Radoicich:

Ron’s death, this past December, was a tragic loss to his family and friends. It was also a loss to the community of farmers, winemakers and chefs for whom Ron was a source of passion, inspiration and an irreplaceable connection. We are a group of Ron’s family and friends and we invite you to join us for an evening to celebrate his life and passion for fine dining. You will undoubtedly agree that one single night is not enough to memorialize Ron, so we have decided to establish an endowed scholarship fund that will continue Ron’s leadership in developing farming and foods with your help.

Please reserve Friday, June 8, 2007 for a dinner in Ron’s memory - not just any dinner but the best dinner ever held in Fresno. Ron’s chef friends James Overbaugh and Karsten Hart (Erna’s Elderberry House), Roy Harland (Slates) and Jon Koobation (Jon’s Bear Club) are teaming up to prepare the incredible meal. To complement the feat in a superlative fashion, many of Ron’s wine industry friends are bringing their and Ron’s favorite wines. The growing list of the vintners includes Richard Bruno (Vinum), Sheldon Parker (Napa Wine Company), Mike Blaylock (Quady Winery), and Randall Graham (Bonny Doon).

The dinner will be held at The University House, home of California State University, Fresno president Dr. John D. Welty. The evening begins at 6 pm with a hosted wine social and hors d’oeuvres followed by an unforgettable four-course dinner at 7 pm. After dinner we will hold a wine auction with selected lots from Ron’s personal cellar plus other donated wines. Yes, you guessed right, there will be absolutely amazing wines available for auction.

The dinner will be a fitting tribute to Ron and we are counting on your support to help his legacy live on. With your help, this celebration will establish the Ag One – Ron Radoicich Memorial Endowment Fund, created to provide support for deserving students studying viticulture and enology at Fresno State. We need to raise $25,000 which will provide an award of $1,250 each year in Ron’s name.

The dinner will cost $165 per person. That covers food, wine, servers, valet parking and everything else needed to enjoy this once-in-a lifetime feast, however, that’s all it does: covers our costs for this truly unique event. We ask you to consider including an extra $50 or $100 (or more) to go towards building the scholarship. Yes, $165 is not inexpensive, but you may never have another chance to enjoy a meal prepared by the top chefs of the San Joaquin Valley or taste these great wines, not to mention bid on the other rare vintages in the event’s auction.

The reservations and donations for this event are being handled by the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State. You can make your reservations (limited to the first 250) by calling Ag One at (559) 278-4266 or going to www.agonefoundation.org.

If you are busy on June 8th, please consider making a direct contribution to Ron’s scholarship fund instead.

We look forward to seeing you on June 8th for an evening you will always remember.

Sincerely,

Friends of Ron Radoicich
Chef James Overbaugh – Erna’s Elderberry House
Chef Roy Harland – Slates
Chef Jon Koobation – Jon’s Bear Club
George Bertolucci • Richard Bruno • Ralph Goldbeck
Kevin Herman • Phoebe Wall Howard • Chris Mariscotti • Renee Martin
Fredo Martin • Patrick Murphy • Michael Murphy • Steve Sagouspe

Click here to see the menu

Click here to see the auction list

Sold Out; donations still accepted.

Click here for map to the University House