A record-breaking Cioppino & Vino raises over $83,000 for th

PASO ROBLES -- The 14th annual Cioppino and Vino fundraising event experienced its best year yet on Sunday, March 1. Nearly 200 guests and local chefs raised over $83,000 for the Paso Robles Children's Museum.

Held at the Paso Robles Event Center, the 2026 Cioppino & Vino marked the nonprofit's most successful and highest-attended event to date, raising a total of $83,536, with net proceeds exceeding $67,000 -- nearly a 75% increase over the previous year.

Executive Director Teresa Dellaganna told Paso Robles Press the community is the source of this year's overwhelming success.

Paso Robles Children Museum

"Our success is directly tied to our community. We had new Cioppino & Vino guests from our community this year who see the importance of the work we are doing at the museum bring in as many local kids into the museum as possible," Dellaganna shared.

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed exceptional cioppino creations paired with wines from participating wineries, including: JDusi Wines, Hoyt Family Vineyards, Dubost Wine, Arndt Cellars, Shale Oak Winery, Graveyard Cellars, and Hope Family Wines.

The night's chefs delivered their interpretations of the classic coastal dish, including Chef Betsy Villagomez, Chef Nick Nolan of Trumpet Vine Catering, Chef Elizabeth Schmidt of Brick & Mortar Catering, Chef Justin Hall of S'Aranella, Chef Justin Alvarez, Chef Jeffry Weisinger of Jeffry's Wine Country BBQ, Chef Logan Ring of The Anderson Paso. The afternoon featured both Judges' Choice and People's Choice awards. Judges' Choice was awarded to Hall of S'Aranella, while People's Choice honors went to Weisinger of Jeffry's Wine Country BBQ.

BBQ Chef Logan Ring

Judges included Jen Olson of Edible Magazine; cookbook author Brigit Binns; Rachel Haggstrom, Chef of Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Justin; and local radio personality and program director Pepper Daniels.

"My heart is incredibly full and my passion for this work is stronger than ever after seeing our community truly show up for Cioppino & Vino this year," said Dellaganna. "This was our most successful fundraiser since the museum's initial campaign, and the funds raised directly support our mission of allowing children to learn through play by sustaining our daily operations and expanding the programs we offer at the museum."

Organizers of the event expressed great gratitude to the nonprofit's board members for their leadership, fundraising efforts, and hands-on support that made the event possible. They also thanked their sponsors who included Bank of the Sierra, Paso Robles Waste & Recycle, Paso Pizza Kitchen on the Park, The Blueprinters, La Morena Events, Limitless Skies Photobooth, AlphaLit Central Coast, Hearst Ranch Winery, McPrice Myers Winery, Kramer Events, and Matt's Bakery.

Olson of Edible Magazine

Delleganna explains that the funds raised from the event will support the nonprofit's daily general operations and help with their basement project.

The funds raised are planned to support our daily general operations and to help with our basement project.

The Children's Museum, located at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse, is a nonprofit that serves children and families in the community. The museum offers playful environments where the youth can learn while having fun. They provide various youth programs and a place to host birthday parties, and they often partner with other youth-based programs in the community.

For more information on the Paso Robles Children's Museum, visit pasokids.org

My heart is incredibly full and my passion for this work is stronger than ever after seeing our community truly show up for Cioppino & Vino this year.

Putting it in context

Openings get the attention, but it is the second and third year that decide whether a restaurant becomes part of a city's routine.

What to remember

Executive Director Teresa Dellaganna told Paso Robles Press the community is the source of this year's overwhelming success
Judges included Jen Olson of Edible Magazine; cookbook author Brigit Binns; Rachel Haggstrom, Chef of Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Justin; and local radio personality and program director Pepper Daniels
"My heart is incredibly full and my passion for this work is stronger than ever after seeing our community truly show up for Cioppino & Vino this year," said Dellaganna
Delleganna explains that the funds raised from the event will support the nonprofit's daily general operations and help with their basement project
The funds raised are planned to support our daily general operations and to help with our basement project

The questions it raises

What should you know about Cioppino & Vino?

What happens next?