Camarillo, CA – Sunday, September 26th, Casa Pacifica hosted its 28th Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival. The sold-out Festival has established itself as Ventura County’s premiere Wine & Food event recently winning Best Wine and Food Event and Best Charity Event for the tenth year in a row, as voted by VC Reporter readers. The return of the Festival after their first-ever hiatus last year meant a much-anticipated return, both by Casa Pacifica and Festival goers. The Festival raises critical funds for Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families which must raise 10-12% of its operating budget annually, about $5 million this year.
As always, the Festival offered an unbeatable array of exhibitors offering delicious food samples, sips of fine wines, and smooth brews. This year’s “Best in Fest” brew – Single Speed American Light Lager by Pedals and Pints was on hand and available for attendees to sample. “Best in Fest” honorable mentions: Firestone Walker and Twisted Oak Tavern. were also in attendance. The Festival main stage, emceed by DJ Bruce Barrios, featured live music throughout the day by Benise’s Band of Gypsies and The Peter Michael Escovedo “All Stars” which kept the dance floor packed.
VIP guests enjoyed a St Germain champagne reception before entering the event at noon. The Sponsor VIP Lounge featured Magnavino Cellars, Plated Events by Chef Jason, The Beer Garden featured Stella Artois, and M on High who poured craft cocktails featuring Cazadores, St Germain, and Bacardi. Happy Place was also on hand to provide additional libations along with Proud Source Water and Pepsi. The ever-popular Mission Avocado bar was also a highlight. Guests danced the afternoon away to music by Sound Effect and enjoyed Photobooth fun by Conejo Photobooth.
Actor Oded Fehr returned as the emcee of the 12th Annual Yummie Culinary Competition, which showcased participating Festival exhibiting chefs’ dishes. The battle for the top prize was a delicious one! Judges eventually crowned winners for the best “Savory” and the best “Sweet” chef’s masterpiece based on flavor, presentation, innovation, and quality. The panel of esteemed Yummie Culinary Competition judges included: Celebrity Chef Eric Kopelow; Chef Nic Manocchio, University Auxiliary Services at CSU Channel Islands; Chef Carson Peterson, Top Chef Jr. Season 2 contestant; Chef Kevan Lee, Chef and Owner of CKL Events; and Actress Denise Boutte, Co-Author of Southern Modified and CEO of Weeziana Girl Spices.
The 2021 Yummie Top Chef Award Winners in the Savory category were 1st place – Chef Abdu Romero of Slate Bistro & Craft Bar for his pan-seared scallop, celeriac, finger lime, tobiko caviar, shrimp chicarron; 2nd place winner, Chef Abdu Romero and Sous Chef Agustin Charco Diego of Star Sushi by Slate for his Hamachi, furikake, grilled avocado and jalapeno, heirloom tomato, finished with soy; and placing 3rd in the Savory category was Chef Oscar Ledesma of Limon y Sal for his Scallop Aguachile, (in the half shell) Salsa Macha Negra, Avacado.
The Yummie winners in the Sweet category included 1st place to Chef Alex Montoya of Honey Cup for his Jasmine Plum Rum Ice cream Pop – with a white chocolate hard shell and pop rocks; 2nd place was Chef Julia San Bartolome of Sweet Arleen’s for her Miso Plum Smash: a miso glazed chocolate cake with yuzu soaked plums and thai chili meringue; and placing 3rd in the Sweet category was Chef Lisa Morris of Li Mor Cakes for her habanero sugar cookies. All the Yummie winners, and the “Best in Fest” brewery winner – Pedals and Pints were awarded their prizes on the main stage.
Casa Pacifica and the Angels want to extend their gratitude to their generous Hosts: The Van Huisen Family; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; Conico Oil/MacValley Oil; Mission Produce; SDI; and Trans-Pro Logistics. And a huge thank you to everyone who attended, we appreciate your support – because of you we are able to help change the trajectory of children’s lives.
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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Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for foster children, youth with complex emotional or behavioral issues, 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 administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website www.casapacifica.org or call the Development Department at (805) 445-7800.
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