A Taste of Santa Barbara and Our New Issue
First look at the cover!
I am very excited to announce our new issue is here, and we will be celebrating the release next week with some special events. For those of you in Santa Barbara (or looking for a good excuse to come here), the Taste of Santa Barbara week of events will be here May 15-21, 2023. We’re very excited to be part of it again this year. It is a county-wide celebration of all things food and drink.
This event is produced by the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (SBCE) in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. Full disclosure, I am a member of the Advisory Committee, and Edible Santa Barbara is a media sponsor of the event. And I have to tell you, I could not be more proud to be a part of this event. Through the SBCE’s partnership with the Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from the Taste of Santa Barbara is used to make grants to local organizations making a difference in Santa Barbara County’s food system.
And the week-long event celebrates food and drink throughout Santa Barbara County. It’s also a great way to celebrate Julia Child’s legacy.
My first memories of Julia were of watching her television show “The French Chef” around 1970–71. It aired on PBS, which was the only TV channel I was allowed to watch when I was 5 and 6 years old. So there were many times when I came home from school and watched “Sesame Street,” “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and then (probably because I didn’t even know that I could change the channel), eventually Julia came on the television.
I was fascinated. I loved the way she talked, the way she poked at and handled the food and the reassuring way there was always delicious-looking food at the end of the show. I can remember that my mother (who never had any interest in cooking) saw what I was watching and was completely baffled. It wouldn’t be until years later that I even attempted cooking on my own, but I like to think that my interest in cooking began with “The French Chef.”
Some 30 years later in Santa Barbara I had the pleasure of meeting Julia briefly when my husband and I were at D’Angelo’s—one of the spots she loved to have people take her in her later years. It was a busy weekend morning and we happened to be seated at a cozy table when one of the owners (the previous owners—Erik Hinshaw and Lou D’Angelo—were friends of ours) told us that Julia was arriving and they didn’t have a table inside for her. Of course we were happy to move outside for Julia, and it is one of my favorite memories of the many mornings I’ve spent at D’Angelo’s.
For a wonderful article about Julia’s time and ties to Santa Barbara, read Julia Child’s Return to Her California Roots by Karna Hughes.
Celebrate the Taste of Santa Barbara with Us
We kick things off with our Edible Santa Barbara Release Party on Monday, May 15th at The Black Sheep. It is sold out, but you can come visit us at the Taste of Santa Barbara booth at the Saturday Farmers Market. We’ll have plenty of copies of the new issue to hand out.
Farmers Market Pop-Up
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 9am–1pm
Santa Barbara Barbara Certified Farmers Market
(Corner of Santa Barbara and Cota St.)
Price: Free
Join us at one of California’s oldest farmers markets to see, smell and taste the wide-ranging bounty of Santa Barbara County. Visit the Taste of Santa Barbara booth to pick up the new issue of Edible Santa Barbara, and stay to watch a live recording of the Inside Julia’s Kitchen podcast, where Krista Harris will be interviewed by Todd Schulkin 9:30–10:00.
More Highlighted Events
You really need to go here to view all the events happening next week, but here are a couple events to put at the top of your list:
Lights, Camera, Julia!
Friday, May 19, 2023, 7-9pm.
The New Vic Ensemble Theatre Company
33 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
General Admission: $25. Student Price: $10
Join us for a special watch party as we screen some of Julia Child’s most iconic television shows, including classic episodes of The French Chef, Cooking with Master Chefs, and Baking with Julia, at The New Vic Theatre.
Todd Schulkin, Executive Director of the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, will host featured guests, Chefs Nancy Silverton and Susan Feniger, for conversations about working with Julia Child on and off the screen.
Taste of Santa Barbara Wines
Sunday, May 21, 2023, 1-4pm.
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park
123 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
$60
Join us for the annual Taste of Santa Barbara Wines at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park! Come explore, connect and learn what makes Santa Barbara County’s wine scene unique.
Enjoy tastings from some of Santa Barbara County’s celebrated wineries, restaurants, and food artisans in the Presidio Orchard. Meet and hear directly from growers, chefs and makers. Head inside the historic El Presidio Chapel for interactive conversations and panel discussions with winemakers throughout the day.
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Thanks for reading, and feel free to reply or comment and let me know your favorite memory of Julia Child.
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