I want to share the news about two fun food events this weekend that benefit great causes: A Taste of Soquel Saturday (late morning through the afternoon) and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing’s Sausagefest Sunday afternoon. More details are below; remember that Saturday is also the always-wonderful festival “Gourmet Grazing” that benefits Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group. Read details in my Sept. 11 article.
A Taste of Soquel: Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The sixth annual “A Taste of Soquel,” benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank, takes place in the courtyard of the Congregational Church of Soquel (4951 Soquel Drive). The theme is “Food & Music for the Common Good.” Read more about the Food Bank at thefoodbank.org.
There will be lots of live music, including Nina Gerber & Chris Webster headlining at 12:25, and the Steve Abrams Latin Jazz Quartet “Chile Con Soul.”
Attendees can enjoy food from restaurants and vendors such as:
Café Cruz, Carpo’s, Fogline Farm, Jeff Walls’ Family Honey, Fish Lady, Aldo’s Bakery, The Kitchen at Discretion Brewing, and Sawasdee
Plus, beer and wine from:
Discretion Brewing, Soquel Vineyards, Bargetto Winery, and Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery
There will also be coffee from the Ugly Mug, plus tea, lemonade, water, and more from The Bagelry and Donut Station. A kids’ area will feature free activities such as miniature golf, crafts, and dancing. More than 60 local businesses participate in the raffle, featuring prizes such as Weber BBQs from Home Depot; gift certificates from Tortilla Flats, El Chipotle, The Little People’s Store, and Safeway; and a produce basket from Everett Family Farm.
Tickets are $25 for adults (includes music, food, wine) and $10 for youth 12-20 (includes music, food). Kids under 12 are free. Call 831-475-2867 or see ccsoquel.org for details. Advance tickets are available at the church or at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing’s Sausagefest: Sunday, Sept. 28, 1-4 p.m.
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is hosting the 8th annual Sausagefest which includes sausage from vendors el Salchichero, Freedom Meats and Corralitos Market, and homemade sauerkrauts, relishes, pickles, and mustards. Additional food will be available from vendors including Buttercup Cakes, Penny Ice Creamery, Companion Bakeshop, and Firely Coffee House.
There will also be lots of organic ale from SCMB, plus beverages from locals including Santa Cruz Cider Co., Uncommon Brewers, and Hallcrest Vineyards. San Francisco punk/polka band Polkacide is performing for the second consecutive year.
The festival has an admission fee of $10 for adults and teens, and it’s free for kids under 12. Food and beverages will be for sale; event proceeds benefit Friends of Santa Cruz Parks. There will be “Radical Redwood Rootbeer” and other non-alcoholic drinks, and some kids’ activities.
Buy tickets at the SCMB taproom, Discretion Brewing, 99 Bottles of Beer, or online at eventbrite.com. Doors open at 12:30pm and the event is at the location of the Westside Farmers Market at the corner of Mission Street Extension and Western Drive. Call 831-425-4900 or see scmbrew.com for details.
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