The Taste of Orange County food festival held this past weekend at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California, was a huge success, with over 40 restaurants and wineries present for attendees to sample from.
“Considering this is the first event in 16 years, we couldn’t be happier with the terrific turnout and support from the local community, ” said co-event producer of the Taste of Orange County, Judy Gray. “This was not your ordinary street food fair. This truly was a five star culinary event that offered a unique combination of tastings for all to enjoy.”
Those who attended were able to learn trade secrets and tips from top OC chefs, like chef Shachi Mehra of Tamarind of London, executive chef Rob Wilson of Montage, chef Louis Jocson of Red Table, chef Matt Briggs of Mastro’s Ocean Club, chef Greg Daniels of Haven Gastropub/Taco Asylum, and chef Kevin Jerrold-Jones of Cory Martin Events, during demos hosted by chef Jamie Gwen from KFWB News Talk Radio 980.
In addition to the tastings and demos, the festival held a Great OC Farm to Table Dinner Saturday night that was a hit. Guests in attendance were treated to local, organic, and sustainable food paired wine from Townley Wines.
Some of the proceeds of this event were donated to the Culinary Liberation Front; food was donated by Santa Monica Seafood, Vintage Natural Meats, Santa Barbara Berkshire Company, Carlsbad Aqua Farms, Newport Dory Fleet, SeaStephanieFish, Future Foods Farms, Schaner Farms, Hopkins Farms, Weiser Farms, Tamai Farms, LBC Urban Farms, Melissa’s Produce, AquaHydrate Water.
The Taste of Orange County participating restaurants included: 118 Degrees – Costa Mesa, A Restaurant, A Market, Clay Oven, Cory Martin Events, Famous Dave’s, Haven Gastropub, House Of Big Fish, Hunter Steakhouse, K’ya Bistro, Europa Sausage/LinX, Mastro’s Ocean Club, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Mr. P’s Espresso Italiano Caffe, Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice, Olive Oil & Beyond, Pizzelle’s Bistro, Primal Alchemy Catering, Red Table, Slapfish, Sweet Lilikoi Patisserie, Taco Asylum, Tamarind of London, Splashes at The Surf & Sand, Tap House, Tap Shack, Bubba Sweets, and TenQ Asian Bistro.
Media sponsors included Cox Communications, Coast Magazine, OC Register, OC Metro Magazine, OC Menus, OC Family Magazine, Greersoc.com, Great Taste Magazine, OCSocialScene.com, LIVE Orange County, Newport Mesa Magazine, The Local DISH Magazine, The Home Magazine and OC Healthcare News.
The two-day event was sponsored by JEEP, Pacific Enterprise Bank, Stella Artois, Group ISO Merchant Services, Sub Zero-Wolf, Renwes, LagunaART.com, Cory Martin Events, Dos Armadillos Tequila, VIP Limousines & Coaches, Vectus, Saddleback Golf Cars, Veytia Group, Melissa’s/World Variety Product, Inc., Whole Foods, Duarte Group, Troo Mobile.
Posted by Melanie Figueroa and Suzanna
06/26/12
