Wine Community Honors Jim Clendenen

 

Frank Ostini knew he wanted to offer a special lot at last November’s Santa Barbara Wine Auction in tribute to his great friend, wine legend Jim Clendenen, but he wasn’t sure what shape it might take. He knew he would host the event at his Hitching Post II restaurant — a beloved spot for his friend who had recently passed away — but beyond that, the shape was unclear.

“Then Roy Yamaguchi bought eight tickets and volunteered to cook,” Ostini told the crowd at the Clendenen tribute event held Saturday, February 4, “and I knew what I was doing.” Yamaguchi came from Hawaii to honor Clendenen, and many others came from all over the country, and of course the local wine community came out — with 100 people attending the exclusive evening. At a $1,000 a plate, that meant Ostini raised a fine sum for Direct Relief and Community Health Centers, which is only fitting as Clendenen helped forge the connection between Direct Relief and the wine community decades ago.

Care to read the rest then do so at the Independent's site.

Chef Budi Kazali Lives Wild, Eats Gourmet

In between the occasional buzzing of helicopters above, the Ballard Inn’s Budi Kazali is making gourmet food look easy despite cooking on a sizzling should-be-summer day in January on mobile stoves outdoors at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. He’s taping an episode of his The Inn Crowd TV program, and while the menu features typical fare like halibut, its true stars are items like manzanita, toyon, elderberries, cattail pollen, and oak nut flour.

Want to read the rest then do so at the Indy's website.