F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E
CASA PACIFICA CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
A California Non-profit 501(C)(3)
Contact: Carrie Hughes
Phone: 805-366-4011
Email: chughes@casapacifica.org
For: Assignment Editor
3rd Annual Yummie Top Chef Dinner to Take Place June 3rd
Camarillo, CA – Several of Ventura County’s best chefs will gather to once again create an unforgettable culinary event at the 3rd annual Yummie Top Chef Dinner, which will take place on Friday evening, June 3rd, 2016. The dinner will take place on California State University Channel Island’s beautiful south quad as Casa Pacifica prepares for its annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 5th.
Pacific Western Bank and the Cassar Family will be hosting the behind-the-scenes dinner for the second and third years in a row, respectively. Yummie Top Chef Dinner sponsors joining them to kick off the Wine, Food & Brew Festival weekend include Wells Fargo, Procter & Gamble; Rosalind Warner, M.D. & Michael Hogan, M.D.; Cohen, Begun & Deck, LLP; Ventura Party Rentals, and Premier Event Productions. The fabulous dinner will take place in the Festival’s VIP Lounge tent and will bring together several of the region’s top chefs – all of whom happen to be former Yummie culinary competition winners from previous Wine, Food & Brew Festivals – to present an incomparable seven-course feast to more than 150 fortunate guests. Each of the courses will be specially paired with local winemakers’ best selections. One course will feature the winning handcrafted ale from the “Best in Fest” brew competition taking place one-month prior to the Festival; the winning brew will be prominently promoted the day of the Festival.
In addition to the sumptuous dinner, guests will enjoy live music by crooner Danny D. to go with the Dinner’s “Vintage Hollywood Glam” theme, and they will be treated to a special just-for-the-event cocktail stirred up by Twenty88 Restaurant & Bar. As was the case last year, the highlight of the evening will be when each of the Yummie Top Chef Dinner chefs escape the kitchen to share with the dinner guests about their recipe for the course being served, along with some professional techniques.
Expert culinary master chefs (and their current affiliations) who will be participating include: Three-time Yummie winner Chef Nic Manocchio of University Glen Corporation at California State University Channel Islands; two-time winner Chef Gabe Garcia of Tierra Sur Restaurant at Herzog Winery; two-time winner Chef Ernie Borjas of The Waterfront Catering Co.; two-time winner Chef Robin Higa of Market Broiler; Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events by Chef Jason (who also caters the VIP Lounge the day of the Festival); and 2015 winner Chef John Paolone of Café Firenze. A trio of delicious desserts will be provided by former Yummie Sweet category winners Barry Davis, owner of Scoops Creamery in Camarillo; Alison Davis, owner of The Sugar Lab Bake Shop; and Yvonne Drayton-Benado, owner of Missy’s Cupcake Creations. Wineries joining in on the festivities (to-date) include Cantara Cellars and Herzog Winery. In addition, The Cappuccino Express will offer its own delicious taste to the evening as well.
If you would like to be a part of this one-of-a-kind extraordinary experience – tickets are limited and will sell out - tickets are on sale for $200 per person, or guests may become a table sponsor for $2,000 which includes seating for eight and recognition in the dinner program and advertising (time sensitive restrictions allowing). Guests must be 21 years of age and older; seating is limited. For more information about the Yummie Top Chef Dinner or to purchase tickets, please contact Juliana Thiessen, Casa Pacifica’s Development & Events Coordinator at (805) 366-4014. All proceeds from the Yummie Top Chef Dinner will support Casa Pacifica’s programs serving vulnerable children and families.
The Wine, Food & Brew Festival itself will take place on Sunday, June 5th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at California State University Channel Islands and will feature more than 85 restaurants and 150 wines, brews, and beverages. Live entertainment, an extensive silent auction, and the Yummie culinary competition will round out the exciting events of the day. The Festival is still welcoming sponsors and exhibitors, so it’s not too late to sign up and connect your name or business with this “Can’t Miss” event by taking advantage of some great sponsorship opportunities! For sponsorship information, contact Juliana Thiessen at (805) 366-4014, jthiessen@casapacifica.org or visit the Festival sponsor page at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.
About Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and along with its campus-based programs administers a number of community-based programs which are designed with the intent to strengthen families and keep children in their homes. For more information about Casa Pacifica or to learn about its “Building New Foundations of Hope” Capital Campaign that is underway, please visit its website www.casapacifica.org or call the Development Department at (805) 445-7800.