Walla Walla Valley 7th Annual Kitchen Tour 2009 Sunday, October 4th from 12- 5 pm. Pick up the Tour Booklet at Someone’s In The Kitchen, 132 W Rose Street, from 12 to 1:30 pm. The tour kitchens are open from 12 to 5 pm. The $20 tickets may be pre-purchased at Earthlight Books or Brights Candies and Gift Store in Walla Walla, by emailing froghunter@q.com, or by calling (509) 525-1104. Tickets are also available at the door. Fall is delightful in Walla Walla - a perfect time to explore the valley. Foliage is in full color. The weather is pleasantly warm and balmy. Vintage homes, organic farms, fabulous restaurants, award winning wineries and vineyards dot the landscape. And on Sunday, October 4th from 12 to 5 p.m., there’s the opportunity to tour eight of this valley’s amazing and varied home kitchens during the Annual Walla Walla Valley Kitchen Tour.

The self-guided kitchen tour is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The proceeds from the $20 tickets fund scholarships for local women. Special grants are awarded as well to groups such as the YMCA, the Childrens’ Museum, and high school students attending special programs of study. The organization also funds a perpetual educational foundation scholarship that provides assistance to women working toward masters or doctorate degrees. Many local vendors financially support this annual fund raising event as well.

The Kitchen Tour is becoming a much anticipated tradition in Walla Walla.

In 2008 over 400 individuals attended the event. Couples and groups have come from as far away as Bellingham, WA and Portland, OR for the tour. from our surrounding communities make plans to spend the day or even the weekend satisfying their appetites at a variety of restaurants, sampling fine wines, visiting art galleries, antique stores and other specialty shops. Strolling through Walla Walla’s historic neighborhoods and the downtown area is relaxing and enjoyable. Walla Walla’s main street was named one of America’s Great Main Streets by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

At the kick off site, Someone’s In The Kitchen, 132 W Rose Street, www.sitkwallawalla.com, attendees will present their tickets and receive a booklet containing a map to the featured kitchens as well as a detailed description of each kitchen’s style, its architect and builder, appliance manufacturers, cabinetry, tile and flooring materials, lighting manufacturers and wall covering design and retailers. These details provide the tourist with a ready reference so if they are really taken by something they saw in the kitchen, they know where to find it for themselves.

As in previous years, this year’s event will feature new construction as well as remodeled kitchens, in homes ranging from modern to historic. Home owners will be present in order to answer questions. Their passion for their kitchens is usually self evident.

Participants who are preparing to build or redesign their own kitchens will find the tour enlightening and inspiring. The opportunity to question the owners is invaluable. It’s not too surprising that past tour attendees often contact the Kitchen Tour Committee offering their new or remodeled kitchen for an upcoming kitchen tour.

Kitchen Tour co-chairs:
Jenny Romine, 525-1104, froghunter@q.com
Sarah Chandler 529-2504 58schandler@charter.net