Cocktail Corner: Cheers to Beer!

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Wine + Beer and the Public Market will partner with Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company and chef Kyle Jones of Country Catering for the market’s first-ever beer dinner on Nov. 12. Courtesy photo.

Wine + Beer and the Public Market will partner with Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company and chef Kyle Jones of Country Catering for the market’s first-ever beer dinner on Nov. 12. Courtesy photo.

Beer and food pairings are all the rage, and not surprisingly, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, chef Kyle Jones of Country Catering and Wine + Beer at the Public Market are excited to get in on the action on Nov. 12.

How yummy does this menu sound?

Amuse Bouche

Kettle chips with whipped beer cheese

paired with FMB 101

First course

Garlic Baked Oyster

Oyster, Weiss Weiss topping, shaved asparagus salad

paired with Weiss Weiss

Second course

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp, linguica soffrito, manchego grits (pictured)

paired with Danish Red

Intermezzo

Prickly Pear- Lizards Mouth IPA Sherbet

Third course

Ox Tail and Wild Mushroom Pie

Davy brown braised oxtail, wild mushrooms, black truffle crust

paired with Davy Brown

Fourth course

Black and Tan Dessert Duo

Saint Andre, Corn Tuille, Toasted Almond, Honey

paired with Paradise Pilsner

Stout Graham Streusel Cake, Milk Chocolate Stagecoach Ganache, Burnt Marshmallow

paired with Stagecoach Stout

The Santa Barbara Public Market is located at 38 W. Victoria St. Tickets are $65 and advanced reservations are required. Call 805/770-7702 to reserve your spot.

Cheers!  Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 30, 2015.

Changing Lives Together: Joyce Dudley to Keynote Women’s Fund Site Visit

Joyce Dudley, courtesy photo

Joyce Dudley, courtesy photo

The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara will host a Site Visit Kick-Off on Thursday, October 29 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara).  This annual event features progress reports from the seven local nonprofits that received Women’s Fund grants this past spring: Children’s Resource and Referral, Community Action Commission, Conflict Solutions Center, Mental Wellness Center, New Beginnings Counseling Center, Sarah House and Transition House.

In addition to representatives from the nonprofits, for the first time there will be a keynote speaker at the event—Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley.

 “Joyce knows that prevention and early intervention strategies are key to changing lives,” said Women’s Fund Chair Nancy Harter.  “For more than a decade, the Women’s Fund has researched and funded local programs with those same strategies.”

 While there is a $20 fee for Women’s Fund members to help defray costs, the event is open to guests free of charge. A reception will follow at 5:30 p.m.

 For more information and to register, go to the Women’s Fund website at www.womensfundsb.org

 After the October 29 Kick-Off, Women’s Fund members and guests will have the opportunity to sign up for small-group visits to the seven 2015 grantees to see first-hand how Women’s Fund grants are changing lives.  The small-group visits will be available on a first-come basis between November and February.

Donating more than $5.1 million to the local community since 2004, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara is an all-volunteer collective donor group that enables women to combine their charitable dollars into significant grants focused on the critical needs of women, children and families in south Santa Barbara County.  The Women’s Fund has grown from 68 members in 2004 to nearly 700 in 2015.

 —Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 27, 2015

Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Returns Nov. 1

Courtesy Santa Barbara Empty Bowls

Courtesy Santa Barbara Empty Bowls

Help to end hunger when one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved events, the annual Santa Barbara Empty Bowls luncheon, returns on Sun., Nov. 1 at the Ben Page Youth Center, 4540 Hollister Ave. Tickets are still available.

Always a unique and fun fundraising event, Empty Bowls benefits the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, which works to eliminate hunger and food insecurity by distributing nutritious food, education and other resources through its own programs and through a network of more than 300 member nonprofit partners and programs in Santa Barbara County.

For a donation of $30 (or more), participants choose a beautiful bowl handcrafted by local ceramic artists, enjoy a simple meal of soup, bread and water, and take home the bowl as a reminder of the meal’s purpose to feed the hungry in our community.

Following the luncheon, attendees may tour the Foodbank Warehouse Facility, located next door from the Page Center at 4554 Hollister Ave. and enjoy a slice of pie and delicious coffee from French Press while touring.

Last year, more than 800 people attended Empty Bowls, which raised $108,109 for the Foodbank. Santa Empty Bowls has donated over $1 million to the Foodbank over the last 17 years to help alleviate hunger in Santa Barbara County and has provided huge community awareness for Foodbank’s mission and work.

The event is hosted by Santa Barbara Empty Bowls Committee: Danyel Dean (Founder), Diane Durst, Cathy Closson, Merrillee Ford Bev Hanna, Donnalyn Karpeles, Nancy Krug, Elizabeth Olson, Laurie Potter, Shanon Sedivy, Linda Shillerstom and Dierdre Woode. Tickets are still available and guests can choose between three seating times: 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. For tickets click here. Online registration ends Friday, October 30, but tickets can also be purchased at the door.

For more information, visit foodbanksbc.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 27, 2015.

Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and The Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig

Spanish Colonial Style, photo by Matt Walla, courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Spanish Colonial Style, photo by Matt Walla, courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum

This retrospective exhibition, the first in 90 years, celebrates the publication of a monograph on the work of two seminal Santa Barbara architects, who happen to be husband and wife.

James Osborne Craig is widely credited with establishing the Spanish Colonial style in Santa Barbara. He left two buildings of such potency—even precocity, given his age—completed posthumously, that one suspects he would have given George Washington Smith ample competition if not for his premature death at the age of 33. One was Casa Santa Cruz, the house for Irene and Bernhard Hoffmann. The other was El Paseo, which set the standard for Santa Barbara’s architectural rebirth in the twenties and continues to be a reference today. His wife Mary McLaughlin Craig, indelibly linked with the houses of Plaza Rubio, followed in his footsteps and established her own identity as an architectural designer for 36 years.Spanish Colonial Style book

Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and the Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig, written by the Craigs’ granddaughter Pamela Skewes-Cox and architectural historian Robert Sweeney, was recently published by Rizzoli, in conjunction with the Museum. The exquisite book includes a stunning collection of contemporary photos by Matt Walla.

Experience the exhibition premiere with a cocktail reception, comments by noted architect and author Marc Appleton, and book signing by the authors, Pamela Skewes-Cox and architectural historian Robert Sweeney.

Opening Reception
October 22, 5:30 p.m.
Experience the exhibition premiere with a cocktail reception, comments by noted architect and author Marc Appleton, and book signing by the authors.  Reservation required.

Lecture
October 23, 11 a.m.
Pamela Skewes-Cox, author Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and the Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig, will give a presentation about the book and the lives of her grandparents.   Reservation required.

First Thursday
November 5, 5-8 p.m.
Join us to view the exhibition after-hours during Downtown Santa Barbara’s art walk.  Wine, music and family-friendly activities.

All events take place at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, 136 E. De la Guerra St., 805/966-1601.

—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 16, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: Fall Flavors

A Bounty of Autumnal Cocktail Flavors at S.Y. Kitchen, Finch & Fork and Intermezzo

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Had enough of  the pumpkin spice hoopla from your local barista?  Here’s an abundance of fun fall finds from your friendly neighborhood bartenders.

Tiramisu Martini at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

Tiramisu Martini at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

Alberto Battaglini, the acclaimed mixologist at S.Y. Kitchen (1110 Farday St., Santa Ynez), has new fall cocktails which he says are inspired by the Indian Summers that take place in the Santa Ynez Valley, mixing the best local seasonal produce with some of the finest spirits.

Pomegranite & Basil Cocktail at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

Pomegranite & Basil Cocktail at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

First up is the Tiramisu Martini (two of my favorite words), made from Cocoa Nibs, Homemade Liquor, Vodka, Espresso, Mascarpone, Amaretto, Chocolate Powder and Anise. A lovely buzzy dessert drink! The brightly colored Pomegranate & Basil Cocktail features Fresh Pomegranate, Gin, Tequila, Lime, Basil and Simple Syrup. Also new on the S.Y. Kitchen menu is Apple & Mint, made with Fresh Apple, Mint, Absinthe Spray, Lime, Lemon and Simple Syrup.

All three new fall cocktails are available through Dec. 1 and prepared with premium spirits and Alberto’s house-made tinctures. 

Apple & Mint at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

Apple & Mint at S.Y. Kitchen, photo by Elisabetta Antonacci

Right down the street at Finch & Fork (31 W. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara), bartender Andy Nelson has created a new fall cocktail menu featuring “drinks that evolve while you sit and sip.” The Lucy in the Sky (made with Aviation, lemon infused Dolin Blanc, orange bitters, blackberry fluid gel and pink peppercorn) has flavors of blackberry and pink peppercorn that infuse slowly, making each sip a little different.

The Mission in Moab is a deconstructed classic—made with High West Double Rye, Lillet blanc, Benedictine, Angostura bitters and Campari foam—is a variation of a Boulevardier using Campari whipped foam. The whiskey and Benedictine pass through the Campari whipped foam, creating delicious depth in layers.

Lucy in the Sky is one of the new fall cocktails at Finch & Fork, courtesy photo.

Lucy in the Sky is one of the new fall cocktails at Finch & Fork, courtesy photo.

Also new to the Finch & Fork menu for fall are the Delayed Flight (Grey Goose Vodka, Aperol, grapefruit and lime), Hot War (Russian Standard, lemon, spicy blackberry syrup and blonde ale), Four Cup (Beefeater 24, Pimms No.1, lemon and ginger beer), Habla Nada (Milagro Reposado, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, strawberry infused oloroso sherry and Grand Marnier), Hendersonville Fizz (Boulard calvados, honey, baked apples bitters and sparkling wine), Lee’s Temptation (George Dickel, sweet vermouth and Fernet Branca), Paper Plane (Makers Mark, Aperol, Cio Ciaro Amaro and lemon), Pisco Sour (Campo De Encanto Pisco, lemon, egg white, bitters and cinnamon), and Brandy Crusta (Pierre Ferrand 1840, lemon, Luxardo Maraschino and dry curacao).

Mission In Moab is one of the new fall cocktails at Finch & Fork, courtesy photo.

Mission In Moab is one of the new fall cocktails at Finch & Fork, courtesy photo.

Last but not least, Intermezzo (819 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara) has The Hemingway, which earned thumbs up from both the editorial and art departments at Seasons this week. A twist on a classic Hemingway Daiquiri, made with Clemente Barrel Select, an aged Agricole rhum originally distilled in the French Caribbean islands from fresh sugar cane, rather than a made as a by-product of molasses.

As Ernest Hemingway himself said, “Don’t bother with churches, government buildings or city squares, if you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bars.”

I’ll drink to that!

Cheers!  Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 15, 2015.

SBIFF Honors Jane Fonda

(L-R) Elizabeth Banks, Jane Fonda, Diane Lane and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Roger Durling attend Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

(L-R) Elizabeth Banks, Jane Fonda, Diane Lane and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Roger Durling attend Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Elizabeth Banks and Diane Lane were in town to fete their friend Jane Fonda recently when the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and its Director Roger Durling honored Fonda with their 10th annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film at a gala event held at the Bacara Resort & Spa.

The event kicked off with a pre-reception and red carpet held in the courtyard, where guests mingled and sipped Altos del Plata wines.  Following Banks and Lane, Fonda danced onto the red carpet looking stunning in a green Elie Saab jumpsuit.

 Jane Fonda accepts award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Jane Fonda accepts award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

After dinner, Hennessy’s Paradis Imperial cognac (Which retails between $1,000 and $3,000 a bottle!) was distributed for a toast. Following the toast, Banks took the stage to thank Fonda for her art, activism, and inspiration, calling her a “walking celebration of femininity and power.” Charming the crowd, Banks also said that she watched a reel including all of Fonda’s films, she was not embarrassed to say that 9 to 5, which she first saw at age seven,  was her favorite.  It made her dream of being a BOSS, said the actress, who recently directed Pitch Perfect 2.

Elizabeth Banks attends Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Elizabeth Banks attends Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Lane presented the Kirk Douglas Award award to Fonda, saying she was there out of a sincere love for her, Lane thanked her for being the woman who has informed everyone’s love with courage and honesty.

Diane Lane speaks onstage at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Diane Lane speaks onstage at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

The evening concluded with Fonda’s acceptance of the award. She thanked everyone in attendance as well as Kirk Douglas who had submitted a taped message that played earlier in the evening. Fonda also thanked the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and lauded the festival for its many year-round charitable programs.

(L-R) Diane Lane, Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Banks attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda at Bacara Resort and Spa on October 3, 2015. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

(L-R) Diane Lane, Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Banks attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 10th Annual Kirk Douglas Awards Honoring Jane Fonda at Bacara Resort and Spa on October 3, 2015. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 14, 2015.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Luncheon

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon Award Winners (L-R): Wells Hughes, Humanitarian Award; Sheela Hunt, Helping Hand Award; Dennis Miller, Heart of Gold Award; Jessica Mireles, Pay It Forward Award; and Lindsey Leonard, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Executive Director. Courtesy photo.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon Award Winners (L-R): Wells Hughes, Humanitarian Award; Sheela Hunt, Helping Hand Award; Dennis Miller, Heart of Gold Award; Jessica Mireles, Pay It Forward Award; and Lindsey Leonard, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Executive Director. Courtesy photo.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation‘s (TBCF) Third  Annual Gold Ribbon Luncheon was a heartwarming and touching event, gathering community members and supporters at the beautiful Coral Casino to honor and encourage the work of this nonprofit organization, which provides financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Hosted by Shirin Rajaee—in her last event appearance before leaving KEYT airwaves for a new job in Sacramento—the luncheon honored Dennis Miller, the Mireles Family, Sheela Hunt and Wells Hughes. It also featured a special acoustic set by Rodney Browning Cravens, George Pendergast and Justin Fox of DISHWALLA.

(L-R) Justin Fox, George Pendergast, and Rodney Browning Cravens of DISHWALLA performed an acoustic set at Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation's annual luncheon. Courtesy photo.

(L-R) Justin Fox, George Pendergast, and Rodney Browning Cravens of DISHWALLA performed an acoustic set at Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s annual luncheon. Courtesy photo.

Heart of Gold Award winner Dennis Miller was recognized as an individual that has gone above and beyond in giving of their time and talent for the benefit of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and the families it serves. “Miller’s interaction with our families, volunteers, and staff has been genuine and compassionate, demonstrating a huge heart for the cause,” says TBCF.

Humanitarian Award honoree Wells Hughes was recognized as an individual that has been dedicated to improving the human condition of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation families by alleviating suffering while supporting and contributing to the welfare and well-being of those in need. “Hughes has  proven himself to be a true advocate for youth with cancer and their families by going the extra mile in providing resources that enrich the lives of the families we serve in our local community,” says TBCF.

This year’s Pay-It-Forward Award recognized the Mireles Family, a TBCF family who “has given back to the organization by paying-it-forward. This family, despite the hardships they have faced in the past, have chosen to give back to TBCF by providing support to other families, sharing their personal story at events and being advocates of the cause.”

The Helping Hands Award went to Sheela Hunt, an individual that has been actively hands-on for the cause for more than a decade. “Hunt has shown outstanding volunteerism and has participated in the inner workings of TBCF by coordinating major fundraising events. Her family also regular volunteers for TBCF in a variety of capacities, including at program events for families. She has shown great support to both our staff and families and has been a valuable supporter of our organization,” says TBCF.

Guests begin to arrive at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon at the Coral Casino. Courtesy photo.

Guests begin to arrive at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Gold Ribbon Luncheon at the Coral Casino. Courtesy photo.

In addition to a silent auction, Geoff Greene led a lively live auction and “ask” for donations which generated an additional $250,000 to help children and their familes.

Last year, TBCF supported 649 individuals and to-date has granted $1,300,000 of financial assistance. Please consider making a gift to the organization. To learn more, or to make a donation today, please call 805/962-7466 or visit teddybearcancerfoundation.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 10, 2015.

Cocktail Corner: Art, Libations and Music on the Edge

The pool at the Goodland, courtesy photo.

The pool at the Goodland, courtesy photo.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by Leslie Dinaberg

Make a splash next weekend at Goleta’s Goodland Hotel when art meets music, libations, food and creative fun with a poolside “play with your food” interactive brunch on Saturday, Oct. 17. It’s all part of MCA Santa Barbara‘s second annual On the Edge Festival, which brings internationally renowned performance artists to Santa Barbara this month.

Meet the On Edge artists over what’s sure to be a delicious brunch, featuring a do-it-yourself crepe and bagel bar, with food portraits and puppet inspiration. Enjoy your brunch poolside with a DJ set by Nikki Jean and Double O, and a cash bar with signature cocktails by resident mixologist Chris Burmeister. Trust me … he’s got a way with a Martini shaker!

Outpost cocktails, courtesy photo

Outpost cocktails, courtesy photo

The Goodland is located at 5650 Calle Real in Goleta. To purchase tickets ($25 general admission and $20 for museum members) click here.

Hope to see you there. Cheers!  Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 9, 2015.

 

Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival Returns

Hot Funny Femmes, courtesy photo

Hot Funny Femmes, courtesy photo

Get ready to laugh out loud at an all-star lineup of headline comedians when the Santa Barbara LOL Comedy Festival returns for two weekends, October 8 through Oct. 17.

Here’s the line-up:

Kira Soltanovich • Hot Funny Femmes  • Thur. Oct. 8 • 8 p.m.• Lobero Theatre

Kira Soltanovich (Tru TV’s How To Be A Grown Up, Girls Behaving Badly and The Tonight Show) headlines this evening of sassy, confident, national touring headlining female comedians Kate Quigley, Jenny Zigrino, Karen Rontowski and Hosted by Real Housewives of Orange County Alum Gretchen Christine Rossi.

Brad Williams • Hosts Ringmaster  • Fri. Oct. 9 • 8 p.m. • Lobero Theatre

Brad Williams, coming off his hit Showtime comedy special Fun Size, filmed at the 2014 SBLOLFEST showcases the top music comedy performers for this year’s Next Up Stand-Up Featuring Eric Schwartz, J. Chris Newberg and more TBA.

Broken Lizard’s Steve Lemme & Kevin Heffernan Live • Sat. Oct. 10 • 8 p.m. • Lobero Theatre

Broken Lizard, Super Trooper and Beerfest’s own funnymen headline a night of live laughs. Kicking off the evening will be Comedy Central’s Dan St. Germain.

The Secret Show  • So secret we don’t even know where and when it will be.  The Secret Show location and tickets will be announced to our mailing list and VIP Pass holders several days prior, and the headliner will be announced the day of. Tickets are very limited to this show so pay attention!

Cheech Marin and and Legally Brown Tu/2.0 • Fri. Oct. 16 • 8 p.m. • Arlington Theatre

Hosted by Cheech Marin, Legally Brown Tu/2.0 is a humorous and ironic look at the obvious through the eyes of some of today’s top Headlining Stand-Up Comedians (all respectively having their own one hour specials on the Showtime Network) Steve Trevino, Monique Marvez, Jeff Garcia and Willie Barcena. All on one show and all of whom just happen to be “Legally Brown.”

Also Featuring: Q104.7FM’s Rico and Mambo and Special Guest Rick Najera a.k.a Bubba Gomez

Chris Hardwick headlines The Nerdy Show • Sat. Oct. 17 • 8 p.m. • Arlington Theatre

The final show of the SBLOLFEST takes place at the Arlington Theater with Comedy Central Favorites Andy Daly (starring in Comedy Central hit show Review) and headliner “The Nerdist” Chris Hardwick.

For more information, visit www.sblolfest.com.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 6, 2015.

Foodbank’s Table of Life Fundraiser

Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Sherry Villanueva and Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin, courtesy photo

Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Sherry Villanueva and Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin, courtesy photo

Support Foodbank of Santa Barbara County‘s Feed the Future programs—which include Food Literacy in Preschool, Kid’s Farmers Market, Picnic in the Park, Teens Love Cooking and Healthy School Pantry—at the Fourth Annual Table of Life Fundraiser on Oct. 17, from 4-7 p.m.

The event, which brings together the local food industry, chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers and foodies to celebrate Santa Barbara County’s finest, and provide nutritional meals to children will be held at Jim & Stephanie Sokolove’s Montecito estate. This year’s honorees are Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree and Sherry Villanueva, who receive special recognition for their leadership and steadfast commitment to improving food security.

Chef Jason Paluska of The Lark, courtesy photo

Chef Jason Paluska of The Lark, courtesy photo

The garden party features live music from the Doublewide Kings, wine and spirits and food stations from local favorites: Michael Hutchings, Christine Dahl, Stephanie Sokolove, The Lark, Driscoll’s Berries, World Cuisine Express Organic Kitchen, Edie Robertson, Liz Santa Barbara Caterer, Catering Connection, Pete Clemens, McConnell’s Ice Cream, Tri-County Produce, Shalhoob Meat Company, Nimita’s Cuisine and Bacara Resort and Spa.

School of Knowledge Table Sponsors have generously released limited tickets for purchase. A $250 ticket donation sponsors five children enrolled in our Feed the Future programs. Each child receives delicious, fresh produce and food literacy training. Click here to buy a ticket.

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Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is transforming health by eliminating hunger and food insecurity through good nutrition and food literacy. The Foodbank provides nourishment and education through its award-winning programs and a network of over 300 member nonprofit partners. In Santa Barbara County, one in four people receive food support from the Foodbank; over 146,000 unduplicated people of whom nearly 35% are children. Last year, the Foodbank distributed 9.7 million pounds of food — half of which was fresh produce. For more information, visit foodbanksbc.org.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on October 3, 2015.