7th Annual Taste of Santa Monica September 14, 2008

Whether young or old, self-proclaimed epicureans who want to sample the variety of delicacies offered in the seaside city of Santa Monica should attend the 7th Annual Taste of Santa Monica. This fun-filled food festival is hosted by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2008, from 12-4 pm at the historic Santa Monica Pier off Ocean Avenue.

Featuring an eclectic mix of up to 40 restaurants serving dishes sure to tease one’s taste buds, guests can eat to their heart’s content knowing that all food at the event is included with their entrance ticket ($40 presale/ $45 at the door for adults and $10 for children 4-10 years old, $20 for students with valid student ID).

“We are a food city and we take pride in the variety of dining experiences our restaurants in Santa Monica can offer our residents, visitors, and community. It is only natural that we follow the latest trends in food and dining – and that means this year we are going molecular!” said Laurel Rosen, president of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

New Additions to the Taste – Cool Off With Your Own Ice Cream
One of the new additions to this year’s Taste of Santa Monica is the molecular ice cream lab, hosted and run by The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles. The workshops, led by the Academic Director of the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles Chef Christophe Bernard, are interactive and allow attendees to create their own ice cream concoctions almost instantly.

In addition to the workshops, attendees will also have the chance to learn about ice cream and gelato recipes from some of Santa Monica’s finest chefs during the chef demos. Taste attendees will be able to vote on their favorite flavor from this year’s event.

Also new to this year’s Taste event is a Great Gourmet Giveaway. The lucky winner will dine at 50 of Santa Monica’s top restaurants. To enter, purchase raffle tickets at the event which enters you in a drawing where you could win 50 gift certificates from an array of Santa Monica’s finest dining establishments.

Entertainment
This year’s Taste of Santa Monica emcee will be Jamie Kaler, who stars as Mike Callahan in MY BOYS, Sony Pictures Television's comedy series for TBS that is in its second season. An accomplished actor, writer and stand-up comic, Kaler's list of credits is as diverse as his career including recurring roles on "Will and Grace," "The King of Queens," "Significant Others" and the Seth Green animated show, "Robot Chicken." His recent film credits include "The Family Stone", "Dead and Deader" and "Spanglish."

Seats will also be available for attendees who want to listen to nostalgic music played by a live band at the event. Guests can enjoy the Southern California sunshine, but will also be pleased to find plenty of shade throughout the event site. And order a refreshing cocktail from the cash bar that will be set up at the center of the pier deck.

Wine Garden
For guests who wish to pair their delicious treats with a fine glass of wine, separate tickets are available for the popular wine garden located within the event site. Garden revelers have unlimited in-and-out access to the area, so they can continue to indulge both their palettes and appetites. Wine Garden tickets are an additional $15 per person and may be purchased the day of the event.

Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased in advance or directly at the event. Tickets are $40 before the event/$45 at the door for adults, $20 for students with a valid school ID, and $10 for children 4-10 years old. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteofsantamonica.com or call 310-393-9825.

Official Website: http://www.tasteofsantamonica.com