Michael Hepworth
By Bonnie Carroll
Santa Barbara, CA(Spiritsman)4/17/12/—MDA Executive Director Paraneh Givi, and event sponsors Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, Venoco, Inc., The Santa Barbara Independent, Groupon and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics were thrilled with the participation of attendees at the 8th Annual MDA Winter Wine Down, as well as grateful to all the generous food, beverage and gift sponsors who contributed time, food, wine and auction items for MDA’s second event at the Carriage & Western Art Museum in Santa Barbara.
George Yatchisin, Food Editor for the SB Independent and Krista Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Edible Santa Barbara Magazine devoted hours tasting samples from a collection of Santa Barbara’s best restaurants and catering companies, as guests did their own food tasting and sipping of the wines donated by area vintners. Spectrum Athletic Clubs was the water sponsor. The great music of the Sweet Country Band and Rusty Lindsey provided the perfect cowboy touch for a ‘yahoo’ afternoon.
Winners in categories included SOHO Restaurant & Music Club for best meat and overall best award for their fantastic BBQ ribs; best vegetarian and best side dish went to Namita’s Cuisine for her authentic Indian entrée with basmati rice and samosa appetizers;
Silvergreens took best poultry award with their chicken with sliced almonds salad; Best dessert went to Louise’s Kitchen Table for her miniature cheesecakes with fresh berries; best seafood appetizer went to Marmalade, who beat Blush Restaurant for first, and the Tasters Choice Award went to the Santa Barbara City Firefighters for their outstanding Italian inspired meatball bites.
Wine and beer samples were served by Sanford Winery, Sunstone Winery, Telegraph Brewing Co., Tercero Wines, the Winehound, Cottonwood Canyon Winery, Daniel Gehrs, Firestone Walker, Giessinger Wines, Fiddlehead Cellars, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, Telegraph Brewing Company, Beckman Vineyards, Eos Estate Winery.
According to MDA Executive Director Parvaneh Givi “we are thrilled the event raised $16,000 and we appreciate everyone who helped.” MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provided comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. For additional Wine Down details or to make a donation visit: www.winterwinedown.com.
Story & Photos by Bonnie Carroll, Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News