Imagine your menu for the evening:

• Chilled cauliflower and leek soup with salsa verde from Serafina
  
• Kobe-style beef salad with arugula, parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette from Chez Shea
  
• Grilled lamb burger with balsamic onions, roasted red peppers and aioli from Café Campagne
  

Hungry?

You can have all this and much, much more (we had a sneak peek at the menu) by attending one of the most popular stomach-stuffers of the summer: the annual Sunset Supper at Pike Place Market. On this special night, chefs from your favorite restaurants replace the vendors of the daytime booths, cooking up a storm in the evening light.

Tom Douglas, who’s been a long-time supporter of the event and the Market Foundation, says that "of all the events I do, this is the one I love most…it’s got the most incredible atmosphere; walking the cobblestones of Pike Place Market is walking through history." He adds that chefs love the joy of "cooking on live fuel," with blowing smoke and noisy equipment.

The atmosphere is unique and fun. Mark Dederer, director of the Safeco Insurance Foundation (presenting sponsor of the event), explains that "Sunset Supper is one of my favorite summer activities…and what better setting could you find—on the cobblestones, under the stars, and in the Market?" He appreciates that proceeds benefit the Market Foundation, which funds the human service agencies that operate in Pike Place Market: the Market Medical Clinic, Senior Center, Childcare and Preschool, and Downtown Food Bank—all serving the low-income and homeless communities.

Both Douglas and Dederer rave that restaurants bring their best, enabling attendees to sample an incredible number of spectacular dishes. Our survival strategy for the event: go early, get a few food items, and if you haven’t paid extra for reserved seating, find an empty space by the back booths where you can put down your plate and beverage. Eat, rinse and repeat—several times. But pace yourself. Take a break to enjoy the live music (dance away some calories if you’d like) or to play the raffle wheel. And be sure to save room for delicious desserts like Seattle’s NY-style cheesecake from The Confectional, and mini-scoops of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream.

Friday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. // Pike Place Market // $85 for general admission or $125 for reserved seating (tickets available via the website)