Charity to auction lunch date with Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett wanders the company trade show before his company's annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska April 30, 2011.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - 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 off 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 $9 million.

Last year's anonymous winner paid $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 $36.50 and salads from $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 favourite Omaha steakhouse during his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway's (BRKa.N) annual meeting there.

The auction, on eBay's (EBAY.O) charitable giving site, begins June 5 at 10:30 p.m. EDT and runs through 10:30 p.m. EDT on June 10. Bidding starts at $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. (Reporting by Ben Berkowitz, editing by Maureen Bavdek)