The Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival at The Natural History Museum
The Santa Barbara Wine + Food Festival takes place every year at the Natural History Museum. Almost every year, I forget about it until it’s
sold out. It sells out quickly, very quickly. This year, I had the pleasure of helping out my friend Monika from The Grazing Place.
Monika (my friend and Grazing Place owner) had three events that day and asked her friend Brianna (who is part of the catering world) and I to help her out. I was honored to be thought of and to get to be part of the event to both represent her and tell people about Taste Santa Barbara Food Tours.
Before kids, I went to all sorts of events. Then I had kids and then Covid happen so my world shifted a bit. Plus running a business, dogs, chickens and a husband who travels a lot. All those things put a small damper on doing all the things, plus I am tired.
The day was glorious and the guests were great. I only interacted with one very, very, very drunk woman, who was nice enough, just drunk af. A wonderful group of girls were there for a bachelorette party – great idea right?
There were something like 90 local food, wine, beer and probably more
I know our leather friends Parker Clay were there representing along with, The Berry Man, oOur buddies at Empty Bowl who served up the ever refreshing Green Papaya Salad. We were located on the opposite end from Empty Bowl and located right next to our friends at Grassini. We were also located pretty close to Ian from Cutlers.
I tried a killer meat ceviche tostada thing, that I don’t know who made it, but it was unreal. I finally had the pleasure of meeting Gretchen of La Lieff Wines and she is fab!
I also had the pleasure of seeing Margerum Wines, Summerland Wines, Brad from Pacific Pickle Works. Acme Hospitality Group were there: The Lark, Loquita, Helena Bakery! There were also a handful or so of people/brands I hadn’t heard of and I have the sneaking suspicion, we will see most of them in the near future.
This event is one of the best Wine + Food Santa Barbara has to offer
And tickets sell out fast (they go on sale in January). All in all, it is one of the best and not as expensive as many of the other events (that are also pretty similar). And, I am pretty sure that all of the proceeds are given to the Natural History Museum to use for updates, etc that they need. OH and you have the option to purchase tickets that allow you to go in a little earlier than the general public!
The next big Santa Barbara wine + food festival is just around the corner
July 19 and July 20, 2024 is the California Wine Festival at Chase Palm Park.
