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
Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival Enjoys Perfect Weather, Perfect Day, and Great Success! Substantial Funds raised for programs serving Ventura County Children and Families in Need.
Camarillo, CA – The 23rd annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival took place on Sunday, June 5th, 2016, and though final a final number is still being determined, it is estimated that the Festival raised over $450,000 (net) to support Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ valuable programs serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families. Casa Pacifica would like to thank its returning hosts - the Zarley Family and the Van Huisen Family – as well as first-time Hosts Premier America Credit Union; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner; and Conico Oil/MacValley Oil Company; the VIP Lounge presented by Wells Fargo; the Audio & Visual Sponsor –Darvik Productions and HZ Main Productions; as well as all of the other generous sponsors, vendors, and volunteers, who not only made the day possible, but such a great success!
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the guests had an excellent day immersed in the Festival’s exciting atmosphere and enjoying the best food, wine, and brews the region has to offer. The Main Stage’s live entertainment featured fabulous performances by always-a-crowd-favorite – Benise - and the very popular multi-decade cover band Wes Quave. The dance floor couldn’t hold all the Festival guests boogying down to the excellent music. Bruce Barrios – the best DJ in Ventura County – once again served as the Master of Ceremonies and DJ. And, the VIP guests hanging out in The VIP Lounge were treated to perennial favorite band, Sound Effect who had its own crowd of enthusiastic dancers. In addition, Festival-goers bid on the extensive silent auction’s fantastic themed baskets through a simple and easy mobile bidding system. And of course, guests were treated to a huge sampling of delicious sweets, savory treats, wines, brews, and specialty drinks from the finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries and specialty shops from throughout the Central Coast with 75 fabulous food exhibitors and 185 renowned wines and brews to choose from – including this year’s “Best in Fest” Brewery competition winner – their second year in a row with the top honor - The LAB Brewing Company and its brew master Roger Bott (operating out of the Twisted Oak Tavern in Agoura Hills) for its “Take Her Home Tripel” Belgian-Style Ale.
The 6th annual Yummie culinary competition showcased participating Festival exhibiting chefs’ entries, which were judged in either a Savory or Sweet category and based on flavor, presentation, innovation, and quality. The Festival was thrilled to have a wonderful Yummie panel of judges this year comprised of local chefs, “Master Chef” competitors both from the regular and junior competitions, and food columnists to taste exhibitor entries and judge which chef’s dish they felt was the “Yummiest.” Tom Hilton, co-host of the Tom & Kat 805 Radio Show which airs at 8 a.m. Saturday mornings on DVTA 1590 AM, lent his wonderful ‘hosting’ skills as the emcee of the Yummie competition.
The 2016 Yummie Top Chef Award Winners in the Savory category were 1st place – Chef Alex Castillo of Twenty88 Gourmet Fusion for his Hoisin Tamarind Pork Shank with tropical cole slaw; 2nd place winner – Chef Nicholas Albrecht of University Village Thousand Oaks for a Summe Tomato Consume paired with a country oxtail grilled cheese; and placing 3rd in the Savory category was Chef Bernardo Rodriguez of Ojai Beverage Company for his Dark Seas Patty topped with beer-battered lobster and crab bites, Muenster cheese, red onion and spring mix in between a Cajun tartar sauce smothered brioche bun.
The Yummie winners in the Sweet category included 1st place to Chef Momo Galera also of University Village Thousand Oaks for a Vanilla Bean Pavlova paired with Mandarin Marmalade Chocolate Mousse; 2nd place was Chef Brandon Worrell of The Cave Restaurant for his entry of Rumchata Frozen Custard with churro bite, vodka whipped cream, Kahlua, and caramel; and placing 3rd in the Sweet category was Patty Brown of Patty’s 805 Treats for her Toffee made using home-roasted almonds in caramelized organic sugar, hormone-free butter, and Ghirardelli chocolate. All the Yummie winners, and the “Best in Fest” brew winner were awarded their prizes on the main stage.
As a prelude to the Festival, the 3rd annual Yummie Top Chef Dinner, themed Hollywood Vintage Glam and expertly decorated with big screen flair and detail by Premier Event Productions, was held on Friday, June 3rd. Hosted by Pacific Western Bank and the Cassar Family, the evening featured a seven-course dinner specially prepared by master chefs who were previous winners of the Festival’s Yummie culinary competition. Each course was deliciously paired with an excellent local wine, with one course paired with the “Best in Fest” brew winner “Take Her Home Tripel” Belgian-Style Ale. Each chef and winemaker shared about their creation with the dinner guests during the course it was served. Sonny Grenier, Skating Plus, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.
Roadrunner Shuttle & Limousine provided a Safe Ride Program which was available for guests to travel to and from their homes ensuring that festival enthusiasts could enjoy their time at the Festival and arrive home safely.
For more information about Casa Pacifica, please visit www.casapacifica.org or check out the Festival’s website for pictures and more information at www.cpwineandfoodfestival.com.
# # #
About Casa Pacifica Center 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.