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
Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival Another Successful Day of Fun!
Substantial Funds raised for programs serving Ventura County Children and Families in Need.
CAMARILLO, CA June 4th, 2017 - The 24th annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival took place on Sunday, June 4th, 2017, and though final a final number is still being determined, it is estimated that the Festival raised over $450,000 (net) toward the $3 million budget-gap Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families must raise each year to support its 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; the Van Huisen Family; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner; Conico Oil/MacValley Oil Company, and our first-time Host Mission Produce; Wells Fargo who presented the VIP Lounge; the Audio & Visual Sponsor –Darvik Productions; as well as all 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 our 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 was packed with enthusiastic 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 happy dancers. In addition, Festival-goers bid on the extensive silent auction’s fantastic themed baskets through a simple and easy online/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 150 renowned wines and brews to choose from – including this year’s “Best in Fest” Brewery competition winner – Enegren Brewing Company, located in Moorpark, for its Maibock-Hells Bock.
The 7th 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 Rachel Hollis – founder the popular lifestyle website The Chic Site, author of Amazon Bestselling fiction series, “The Girls,” and accomplished event planner for Hollywood’s elite – serve as the emcee for the competition festivities. A wonderful Yummie panel of judges included the Vice President and Corporate Executive Chef of NBC Universal Studios Hollywood, Chef Eric Kopelow, CEC; along with Chef Masa Shimakawa, Chef de Cuisine of ONYX at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village; Master Chef competitor, fashion stylist, and creative consultant, Olivia Crouppen; Julia San Bartolona, founding Executive Pastry Chef for Sweet Arlene’s and 3-time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars; Rita Moran, food critic for the Ventura County Star; and Chef Nic Manocchio of University Auxiliary Services – California State University Channel Islands.
The 2017 Yummie Top Chef Award Winners in the Savory category were 1st place, for the second year in a row – Chef Alex Castillo of Twenty88 Gourmet Fusion for his Cuban Skewer of marinated shrimp with andouille sausage and plantain over yucca root and charred corn al ajillo, jicama and watercress slaw, with roasted pasilla cilantro drizzle; 2nd place winner – Chef Ernest Romero of J. Wolf Catering for his Pork Belly Banh Mi made of crispy smoked pork belly on French bread, topped with a Vietnamese inspired slaw; and placing 3rd in the Savory category was Chef Sandra Cordero of Gasolina for her Sandia Y Tomate Gazpacho comprised of chilled watermelon and tomato soup with basil oil Croquetas “New Orleans” made of Morcilla sausage croqueta with lemon aioli.
The Yummie winners in the Sweet category included 1st place to Chef Michael Aviles of University Village Thousand Oaks (the second year in a row for a win for University Village TO) for his S’mor For Now, a smooth Swiss Chocolate Truffle rolled in chili-dusted graham cracker crumbs hovered by toasted marshmallow fluff; 2nd place was Chef Alex Montoya of The Cave for his Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita Anti-Griddle Frozen Custard Pie with Tequilla whipped cream and sea salt (strawberry, jalapeno, shortbread cookie crust, Tequilla, cream, sea salt); and placing 3rd in the Sweet category was Chef Alison Davis of Sugar Lab Bake Shop for her Choux pastry filled with peanut butter caramel cream dipped in caramel glaze and chocolate ganache, then garnished with candied peanuts. 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 4th annual Yummie Top Chef Dinner, featuring a Speakeasy theme, took place in the Festival’s VIP Lounge and was expertly decorated with Roarin’ 20s flair and detail by Premier Event Productions. Hosted by the Cassar Family, the evening featured a seven-course dinner specially prepared by master chefs who each 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 Enegren’s Maibock “Best in Fest” brew winner. Each chef and winemaker shared inside information about their creation with the dinner guests during the course it was served. Ventura County’s Sheriff Geoff Dean 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.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.
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About Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & 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.