Charity to auction lunch date with Warren Buffett

If you have a couple million dollars to spare and a taste for steak, Warren Buffett is looking for lunch companions.

The San Francisco charity GLIDE said on Tuesday it would once again auction a lunch with the legendary investor to raise funds for its programs, which include meals and healthcare for the poor and homeless. The previous 11 auctions have raised nearly US$9 million.

Last year's anonymous winner paid US$2.63 million for the right to dine with Buffett and seven friends at the Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in midtown Manhattan. The restaurant's lunch menu includes filet mignon starting at US$36.50 and salads from US$11.50.

Buffett, who was introduced to GLIDE via his late, first wife Susan, is a red meat devotee who encourages shareholders to visit his favorite Omaha steakhouse during his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting there.

The auction, on eBay's charitable giving site, begins June 5 at 10:30 pm EDT and runs through 10:30 p.m. EDT on June 10. Bidding starts at US$25,000 and all potential bidders have to prequalify at www.LunchWithWarrenBuffett.com.

Last year, nine qualified bidders made a total of 77 bids, with the price nearly tripling in the last day.