We were delighted to participate in the 2015 Santa Barbara Police Foundation fundraiser at a local polo estate. The Foundation supports the Santa Barbara Police Department by raising community awareness and providing needed funds for two primary purposes:
Financial assistance for officers injured or killed in the line of duty and officers, department employees, and family members who suffer catastrophic illness.
Purchase of necessary equipment not provided for in the department budget​.
We served some 850 potato blinis with caviar, goat cheese wafers and chocolate-hazelnut crunch bars to some 500 plus guests. It was a gorgeous fall day and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves. We also donated a catered dinner for 10 people for the live auction. Arlene Montesano suggested we upgrade the dinner to 12 guests and add wines (donated from a local's cellar). Also, Arlene volunteered to have her and three girlfriends serve the dinner and I added a special occasion cake from Chef Christine Dahl of Christine Dahl Pastries. The ladies must have hypnotized the guests as bidding went sky high. The dinner sole for $10,000. If that were not impressive enough, they sold a second dinner for another $10,000. Wow, $20,000! Now I have to come up with a menu that reflects the auction price.
Chef Michael Hutchings
