Details
Whether young or old, self-proclaimed epicureans who want to sample the variety of delicacies offered in the seaside city of Santa Monica should attend the 6th Annual Taste of Santa Monica. This fun-filled food festival is hosted by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 12-4 pm at the historic Santa Monica Pier on Ocean Avenue.
Featuring an eclectic mix of up to 40 restaurants serving dishes sure to tease one’s taste buds, guests can eat to their heart’s content knowing that all food at the event is included with their entrance ticket ($40 presale/$45 at the door for adults and $10 for children 4-10 years old).
Seats will be available for attendees who want to listen to nostalgic music played by a live band at the event. Guests can enjoy the Southern California sunshine, but will also be pleased to find plenty of shade throughout the event site. Refreshing cocktails will be available from the cash bar that will be set up at the center of the pier deck.
Beginning at 1:00 pm, expert chefs from Locanda Del Lago, The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles, Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom, and The Victorian will dazzle visitors with culinary demonstrations every hour. The program is designed to wow the crowd and give novice gastronomes easy to follow instructions in order to recreate the tasty menus at home.
This year’s Taste will hold a Silent Auction with impressive items to bid and win, including hotel stays, restaurant certificates, and an autographed John Wooden basketball. Additionally, there will also be a raffle drawing, purchase tickets to see if you’ll be the winner of one of three prizes: 1) Napa Valley Getaway – 2 roundtrip airfare anywhere Southwest flies, hotel stay at the Marriott, and tickets to the Rocca Family Vineyards for some wine tasting opportunities; 2) Newport Coast Getaway – 2 nights at a $2500/night villa at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Midway convertible rental car, gift certificate to the Rusty Pelican restaurant, 2 rounds of golf; 3) Stay & Play in Santa Monica – 2 nights at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, $150 gift certificate to the Lobster restaurant, massage for 2 at the Le Merigot Hotel.
Wine Garden
For guests who wish to pair their delicious treats with a fine glass of wine, separate tickets are available for the popular wine garden located within the event site. Garden revelers have unlimited in-and-out access to the area, so they can continue to indulge both their palettes and appetites.
According to Sheila Estaniel, Director of Marketing and Events, “The wine garden has been well received for the past two years, and we expect it to be a crowd pleaser again this year.” There will be 15-20 wineries offering samples of their delectable varietals. Wine Garden tickets are an additional $10 per person and may be purchased the day of the event.
For more information or tickets visit www.tasteofsantamonica.com or call (310) 393-9825.
