This year’s Mama’s Kitchen Wine Tasting promises to please the palate with hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a unique selection of wines.

Bourbon Street hosts the event on Aug. 20, starting at 6 p.m., in University Heights.

“This is a wonderful event we look forward to every year,” Scott Gardner, president elect of the Board of Directors for Mama’s Kitchen said. “Bourbon Street has been very generous to Mama’s Kitchen to have hosted the event for 14 years.”

Tasters get the chance to try five different wines paired with food samples to compliment the tasting experience.

“[The] tastings are designed to help embrace the flavor and varietals of the wines we’re serving,” Gardner said.

Wines include Alice White Chardonnay, Alice White Cabernet Sauvignon, Alice White Pino Noir, Falkner Winery 2007 Vioginier and Falkner Winery 2005 Syrah. The selection offers a variety of flavors, including hints of pear, cherry, mint, plum and vanilla.

Hors d’oeuvres are donations from neighborhood restaurants Lei Lounge, Soltan Banoo, Babbo Grande, Muzita Bistro and Decker Brothers Gourmet. Sycuan Casino donated the dessert portion of the event.

“We love being able to have an event in the Hillcrest community, and having the continued support of the community for this event,” Executive Director Alberto Cortes said.

Mama’s Kitchen hopes to earn $20,000 from the event.

“[B]ecause the cost of food has increased significantly, community support is as critical as ever. The proceeds of this event go directly to the purchase of food and containers for our home delivery service,” Cortes said.

The Tasting’s $50 – $65 ticket price allows for a different set of people to attend, Gardner said.

“It really opens up this fundraising effort to an even broader scope of folks that support the community. We’re just there to have a good time and raise money for the kitchen, particularly in this time.”

As of July, approximately 370 clients are on Mama’s Kitchen meal delivery roster.

“In the first half of this year, we prepared and delivered 189,061 meals, and had 2,315 visits to Mama’s Pantry,” Cortes said. “At the end of June, we had seen a 13 percent increase in the number of meals being delivered compared to this time last year.”

In July, Mayor Sanders delivered Mama’s Kitchen’s five millionth meal.

Gardner said the tone of the event is more personal compared to the organization’s other events such as Mama’s Day in May.

“It’s festive, casual and intimate. It’s a great way to spend a summer evening and support Mama’s Kitchen at the same time. The only [item on the] agenda is to sample unique wines and fabulous food.”

Instead of a silent auction, a drawing will determine the prize winners. Tasters can purchase panels of 25 tickets for $40 and bid on the items. Participants can use their tickets to bid on all of the packages or on one item. Tasters can then drop in one ticket or 50 to increase the chance of winning.

“That’s a lot of fun because you can continue to contribute without having to constantly be hovering over the items that you’re interested in,” Gardner said, adding the drawing was designed to eliminate the hassles of silent auctions.

Drawing items include a New York theater package, a luxurious Florida getaway, stays at San Diego’s most exclusive hotels, bottle service at San Diego’s premiere hot spots, spa packages, autographed memorabilia and fine dining experiences.

Tickets are $55 each or four for $200 online. Tickets are $65 at the door. For more information visit www.mamaskitchen.org or call Aimee at 619-233-6262 ext. 113.

Mama’s Kitchen is the only nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers three free meals a day for people with illnesses such as AIDS, cancer and diabetes.

Mama’s Kitchen was founded in 1990 when volunteers from the AIDS Assistance Fund discovered that many of their clients were becoming too ill to take care of themselves. They realized a home-meal delivery service was needed to ensure these individuals would continue to receive nutritious food. In 2006, Mama’s Kitchen expanded its mission to include delivery of meals to people with cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Mama’s Kitchen provides three meals a day, every day of the week to more than 300 men, women and children affected by AIDS or other critical illnesses in San Diego County.

In 2008, Mama’s Kitchen provided 332,500 meals, and delivered 1,700 grocery bags to homes. Mama’s Pantry, where clients who do not need meal deliveries can select items like cereals, pastas and canned goods had 4,300 client visits. Volunteers make significant donations to the organization as well. In the same year, volunteers donated 30,200 hours with a value of $659,884, drove 172,104 miles and collected $33,500 in food drives.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact the organization at 619-233-6262, or visit www.mamaskitchen.org.