An Evening under the Stars

by Alex Kent

If you couldn’t make it to the 25^th Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, August 6^th, you really must plan on attending next year!

Bright lights, patio heaters and elegantly dressed tables welcomed wine lovers to an “Evening under the Stars”, starting with a glass of champagne.

Live music was performed by jazz musicians featuring Daniel Ho, six-time GRAMMY award winning producer and ‘slack key’ guitarist in the “Best Hawaiian Music Album” category.

Delicious sights and smells tempted guests from every booth: barbeque aromas rose from grills pits, mouthwatering sauces were drizzled over fancy appetizers, sinful desserts promised a bit of heaven and all, of course, were accompanied with an appropriate wine.

In fact, I learned a lot about sake. The impressive array of rice wines that were available gave tasters a chance to try the cold, unfiltered sake, a relatively advanced drink for the western palette. The most unexpected find for me was a cranberry flavored, unfiltered sake called MoMo, available. M&M Enterprises, Gyu Kaku at Myako Hybrid Hotel, Gonpachi and Sushi Boy each with their unique presentations of beef, fish and vegetables were there to answer questions.

This was also an opportunity to meet the talent behind the scenes. For example, I met some very special people from Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Stephanie Moreno, the private dining director, introduced me to Kenyon Paar, the operating partner and Mark Ogren, chef partner and we talked about their 100 wine selection.

Innovative techniques for food presentation only made these bite-sized meals even yummier. Spiced salmon and mango in crispy sesame cones were a new one on me, decorated tofu on bamboo forks got a lot of attention (and were wonderful) and the meal in a boat satisfied the hunger I had saved up for the occasion.

Meal in a boat from Giu Kaku and Tofu on bamboo forks by Sushi Institute

Even the floral arrangements accentuated the out-of-doors charm of the evening. The three main flowers that were used seem to represent the three main cuisines represented: western roses, Hawaiian pink ginger, and eastern orchids.

For 25 years American Honda has been host to this festival, raising money for causes in the South Bay community. For the past five years Torrance Memorial Medical Center has been the beneficiary. This year $100,000 was raised through the support of local restaurants, wineries, table sponsors, guest ticket sales and proceeds from a silent auction. That money will go towards construction of Torrance Memorial’s Main Tower and Pediatric Services. The auction items were geared more toward experiences than possessions - a smorgasbord of fabulous opportunities - like a meet-and-greet with Vanessa Williams on the set of “Desperate Housewives”, a weekend for two in a junior suite at the Intercontinental in San Francisco, and a day for four at Disneyland including dinner with Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto. The excitement over the auction was obvious and winners toasted each other at the wine tasting tables.

Being a lover of Pinot, both noir and gris, I couldn’t help but give my vote to the Clos Pepe Estate pinot noir served by Napa Rose from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Everyone that tried it agreed - it is truly something special and notes were taken. I’m guessing some locals will soon be making their way down to Disneyland for another glass!

The best food? Every hors d’oeuvre was fabulous, and I never met a dessert I didn’t like. Everyone I met was cheerful, interested and helpful. I didn’t have much time to sit and the one time I did, someone gave me a white chocolate seashell packaged with a teaspoon of brown sugar. I didn’t realize it was edible until I got home. Wow! What a treat! Athena’s Confections from Rancho Palos Verdes. You have got to try one!

Volunteers pulled out all the stops to make this an exceptional win-win occasion for the community. Thanks to Ann O’Brien and Colleen Farrell who invited Valmonte Living magazine to cover the event, and of course thanks are due the man of the hour, Mr. Steve Morikawa, assistant vice president of American Honda and his festival committee for a flawless event. It was an outstanding way to meet new friends!

Ann O’Brien and Colleen Farrell, Torrance Memorial

LiveJournal Tags: Honda,25th Annual Gourmet Food and Wine Festival,Anne O'Brien,Colleen Farrell,Torrance Memorial,Evening under the Stars,Daniel Ho,M&M Enterprises,Giu Kaku,Miyako Hybrid Hotel,Gonpachi,Sushi Boy,Fleming's Prime Steakhouse,Stephanie Moreno,Kenyon Paar,Mark Ogren,Clos Pepe Estates Pinot Noir,Napa Rose,Disney's Grand California Hotel,Athena's Confections,Steve Morikawa