2025 Gala Dinner Co-chairs
Mario Cordero
CEO
Port of Long Beach
Bob Foster
Former Mayor
City of Long Beach
Skip Keesal
Founder
Keesal, Young & Logan
The 22nd Annual Grape Expectations gala presented by Marathon Petroleum Corporation is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802. The Grape Expectations gala is the premier food and wine event in Long Beach, raising critical funds for our Long Beach Public Libraries.
We are honored that Clark Construction will receive the Library Leadership Award and M. Lissette Flores will receive the Durnin Family Award and are deeply grateful to Olga G. Chavez and Sharon L. Weissman for co-chairing our fundraising efforts.
Guests will experience a delicious gourmet dinner, each course perfectly paired with a fine wine, in the company of more than 400 of Long Beach’s prominent community and business leaders, library supporters, and wine and travel enthusiasts. They will have the opportunity to enjoy bidding on adventures and other unique items procured for our live auction.
Cocktail Attire
FINE WINE PAIRINGS BY RANDY KEMNER, PROPRIETOR OF THE WINE COUNTRY
Tray-passed Appetizers
DUCK CONFIT FRITTER
Three Berry Marmalade / Chopped Chive
MINI CRISPY COMPRESSED POTATO GF* V*
Citron Goat Cheese / Baby Asparagus Tip
KOFTA GYRO CONE
Hummus / Kofta / Tzatziki / Tomato Pico / Chop Parsley Sprig / Served in Savory Pizzelle
WINES
Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy
Mylonas Winery 2024 Assyrtiko White Wine, Attica, Greece
Pre-set Salad
SAVORY PANNA COTTA
Strawberry Gastrique / Spring Vegetable Salad / Homemade Champagne Vinaigrette / Pistachio Salsa Verde / Shaved Parmesan
Cheddar Cheese Straw
WINE
Fiorini 2023 Corte degli Attimi Lambrusco di Sorbara Rose, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Main Course
BAROLO BRAISED SHORT RIB
&
LOBSTER RAVIOLI
Sauce Américaine / Brunoise Vegetable
**FOR VEGETARIANS**
CREAMED SPINACH RAVIOLI
Courgette Sauce / Brunoise Vegetable
POTATO CONFIT
CHEF SELECTED GARDEN HARVEST
Carrot Tournée / Half Sunburst Squash / Half Baby Turnip
WINES
Domaine Roland Schmitt 2024 Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France
Sierra Cantabria 2020 Rioja Crianza, Spain
Dessert
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TUXEDO CAKE
Dark Chocolate / Raspberry Mouse / White Mirror Glaze / Raspberry Purée
&
TRES LECHES CAKE
Toasted Coconut / Caramelized Pineapple
