Autumn has arrived, and the time has come to decorate the house with goblins and oversized pumpkins, while ducking flurries of wind-swirled leaves. Among the fragrances offered by crisp air and rain-dampened soil, sensitive noses will detect the tempting aromas of grilled, stewed, stir-fried, and baked delicacies prepared by kitchen-savvy gents who make their home on the Central Coast.
To celebrate the swinging of the seasons and raise money to support its mission to bring the arts to the people of Santa Barbara County, Arts Outreach will hold its 19th annual cook-off and fundraiser. Known as Real Men Cook, the gala event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 23, and takes place, as always, at the beautiful Flag Is Up Farms, in Solvang.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Catherine Affolter, Arts Outreach office manager. “People call as early as February, wanting to know the date of the next Real Men Cook.
“It’s fun and a bloody good deal for 60 bucks,” she added, her lilting British accent in evidence. “You get to eat and drink as much as you want until it runs out, you get to dance, and have a flutter [gamble] on the tables.”
This year’s cook-off features more than 50 amateur male chefs who will prepare food from more than 10 categories, including hot and cold appetizers, soups, salads, breads, meat, fish, entrees, vegetarian treats, and decadent desserts. Original recipes range from southern fried alligator to black-bean-and-chorizo-stuffed chiles.
Affolter happily described one unusual offering, called Chris’s whiskey and sweet salmon.
“I was reading it, and it made me hungry,” she laughed. “It’s done with salmon, Jack Daniels, brown sugar, and honey. The chef is Chris Carro, and he’s new this year.”
Also on the menu are goat cheese torta, barbecued chicken strips, a cheese-rich seafood casserole, and, for dessert, among other treats, are killer brownies.
Event organizers have enlisted the aid of local executive chefs, who will taste test each dish and determine the winners in 12 different recipe categories. Budi Kazali (chef and proprietor of the Ballard Inn and Restaurant), Matt Nichols (of Brothers at Mattei’s Tavern), and Barbara Candy (of Solvang Bakers) have agreed to serve on the judges panel.
Throughout the evening, winners will be announced during lively ceremonies highlighted by the awarding of hand-painted paper chef’s hats. In addition to a spiffy new toque, the victorious kitchen wizards receive a year’s worth of bragging rights, good until next year’s gala.
“My 11-year-old and I sat at the kitchen table last night coloring hats, yet again,” Affolter smiled, “because our prizes are exceptional for these guys who enter. Even if they just get a balloon, they’re ecstatic!”
Guests at Real Men Cook enjoy samples of all the tempting dishes, as well as the fun of comparing their favorites to those selected by the judges. As long as supplies last, they can nibble to their hearts’ content.
To keep whistles wet, 20 local vintners will pour wines selected to complement the dazzling dishes. Wineries donating their wares to benefit Arts Outreach include Buttonwood Farm Winery, Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards, Alma Rosa, The Brander Vineyard, Stolpman Vineyard, and Zaca Mesa Winery.
Always crowd-pleasers, the locally based band, The Grasshoppers, headline the evening’s musical program and set toes tapping. Making its Real Men Cook debut, the Soulmates, a band of 10-year-old students, opens the show.
For the first time at this annual evening of food and fun, there will be seven gaming tables where guests can try their luck at poker, blackjack, roulette, or craps.
“Gaming was the idea of one of our board members,” Affolter explained. “We did it at a private fundraiser where the women were dancing and the men were standing around. They had a couple of tables there, and they were really successful.
“It’s a way of generating more money for our projects,” she continued. “They’ll buy funny money and trade it for chips, and if they want to cash out, they get raffle tickets for the prize, which is two nights and three days in Las Vegas.”
For more than 25 years, Arts Outreach has brought painting, drawing, theater, and sculpture to the people of Santa Barbara County. Thanks to this Solvang-based group of dedicated artists and organizers, local children and adults alike can tap into their artistic gifts and explore the world of creative possibility.
“Our mission is to take art into the community in all its aspects,” Affolter said. “Through school workshops and senior centers, after-school activities and summer theater programs, we hit all areas of the community.
“The main reasons why people should attend Real Men Cook,” she added, “is it supports a great cause, it’s really good value for the money, and it’s a really fun night out.”
K. Reka Badger loves a good value. Contact her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Oct 14-21, 2010.