MONTEREY, CA, USA -- Slice it up with world-class chefs, fish for a solution to sustainable seafood, tour regional farms, tend the mind and pamper the palate.

WHAT: Fifth Annual Cooking for Solutions, a two-day event showcasing 40+ top chefs from three nations in a parade of farm tours, tastings, galas and organic odysseys. New in 2006: Sustainable Foods Institute (May 18) for Media Only.

WHEN: May 19-20, 2006

WHERE: Monterey Bay Aquarium, various events/tours staged throughout Monterey County.

HIGHLIGHTS: Celebrating sustainable seafood, organic cuisine and sustainable/organic wine, this year’s event will honor celebrity chef Rick Bayless.

Events include an “Iron Chef” cook-off, chef-led tours of regional farms, Big Sur ranches, abalone purveyors and local winemakers.

The organic seafood Gala Friday, May 19 at Monterey Bay Aquarium is a parade of world-class cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs. Featured chefs include Jim Dodge, John Ash, Nancy Oakes, Robert Clark and Jerry Traunfeld.

BACKGROUND: Cooking for Solutions supports Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, which aims to connect individual buying decisions with the health of oceans and the soil. Seafood Watch creates and distributes regional pocket guides to consumers and has partnered with zoos, aquariums, conservation organizations, retailers, restaurateurs and seafood purveyors to shift seafood markets in directions that reward sustainability.

TICKETS: 866.963.9644; www.cookingforsolutions.com.