Santa Barbara’s Favorite Foodie Event Supports At-Risk Youth & Families
Santa Barbara, CA, February 27, 2017— Family Service Agency is pleased to announce that Marni Cooney has been named Event Chair for the 4th Annual Cooking Up Dreams, a “flavorful” benefit for Family Service Agency. Cookbook author, Pascale Beale, will serve as Honorary Chair of the event. Cooking Up Dreams is scheduled for April 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Carriage and Western Art Museum in Santa Barbara. Tickets go on sale, March 1 and can be purchased online at CookingUpDreams.org.
Marni Cooney is a member of the Family Service Agency board of directors and serves on a variety of committees. A board member for more than 10 years, she was President from 2007 to 2010 and Co-President from 2011 to 2013. In addition to her work for FSA, Marni has raised funds for the renovation of Peabody Stadium at Santa Barbara High School and continues to volunteer with Carpinteria Elementary Schools. Previously, she served on the County Human Services Commission and has professional affiliations with Cold Spring School, Montecito Union, Outhwaite Foundation and Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons.
Pascale Beale, is a Santa Barbara based author and food writer, You Tuber and owner of Pascale’s Kitchen, a unique culinary on-line boutique. She recently released her eighth cookbook, Les Legumes: Vegetable Recipes from the Market Table. She has also penned numerous articles and is a columnist for the James Beard award winning publication, Edible Santa Barbara. Her feature article, “Tea for Time,” won a 2018 Edible Communities’ EDDY Award.
“In the wake of the Thomas Fire and debris flows, FSA services are needed now more than ever,” said Executive Director, Lisa Brabo. “With dynamic individuals like Marni and Pascale at the helm, our event is certain to be a great way to have fun while contributing to the well-being of our community.”
FSA has been hard at work responding to the recent natural disasters counseling students at impacted schools, providing basic needs support to displaced workers and their families, helping relocate long-term care residents, and providing group and individual counseling services.
Cooking Up Dreams is a unique fundraising event featuring a culinary competition between leading local chefs. Celebrity judges and up to 300 guests will taste the thoughtfully prepared food made by each chef to vote on the top dish for the People’s Choice and Judge’s Awards.
Competing chefs and restaurants include well-known local chefs and restaurants from Carpinteria to Los Alamos, and include Casa Blanca, Convivo, Finch & Fork; First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn, Industrial Eats, Les Merchands Wine Bar, Outpost at Goodland Hotel, Patxi’s Pizza, Renaud’s Patisserie & Bistro, Sama Sama, Santa Barbara FisHouse, and more!
Guests will also enjoy complimentary wine (provided by Touring and Tasting), music by DJ Scott Topper, silent and live auctions, a premium photo booth by RUMOR Photo Media, desserts by the Carpinteria Culinary Arts Institute, and much more.
This year, the event is sponsored by Union Bank; Les and Zora Charles; John and Jill Bishop; John Tania and Burke; Michael and Marni Cooney; Jim and Shirley Ann Hurley; Carole MacElhenny; Tisha Ford; Dave and Sandy Nordahl; Bob and Susan Manning; Montecito Bank & Trust; Maryan Schall; Fred and Jane Sweeney; Tim and Ginny Bliss; Liz and Andrew Butcher; Coast Village Chevron Wine Grotto; Foundation for Santa Barbara City College; Michael Hardwick; Jim and Chana Jackson; Jim and Mary Morouse; Craig and Tricia Price; Price, Postel & Parma, LLC; Stephanie Wilson and Dr. Ron Ungerer; and The Habit Burger Grill.
Proceeds from Cooking Up Dreams support programs for at-risk children, families and seniors—including Big Brothers Big Sisters, school-based counseling, youth behavioral health, and senior mental health.
There are many ways to participate! To learn more about the event, purchase tickets or to become a sponsor with reserved seating, please visit www.cookingupdreams.org/.
