Tickets still available: Dine with Alice Waters in Santa Cruz at Homeless Garden Project benefit

Santa Cruz’s Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is holding a benefit dinner at its farm on Saturday, Oct. 13, with very special guest Alice Waters. For anyone unfamiliar with Waters, she has been a major influence on not only California’s culinary landscape, but also that of the entire country–not to mention a pioneer of organic gardens at public schools. Waters is the founder and owner of renowned restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

“Fall Farm Supper” is from 4:30-8 p.m. at Natural Bridges Farm, on Shaffer Road at Delaware. Local chefs Michael Clark, owner/executive chef of Michael’s on Main, Katherine Stern, executive chef of La Posta, Santos Majano, executive chef of Soif, and private chef Alyssa Twelker will be creating the family-style dinner featuring produce from HGP’s farm. “The evening will not only be a delicious one, but delightful and entertaining. This supper, inspired by Alice’s philosophies of simply prepared locally grown food will connect our community with social interests and positive intentions,” said Patrice Boyle, owner of La Posta and Soif. The $200 admission fee benefits Homeless Garden Project. Special VIP packages are available which include a private meet and greet with Alice Waters. There will also be book signing options available. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.homelessgardenproject.org or call the HGP office at (831) 426-3609.

The evening will include music, local wine pairings, and a 4-course family style dinner. Diners will be able to handpick their fresh organic herbs and salad greens from the Natural Bridges Farm to add to the dinner. There will be speeches from Alice Waters and from Homeless Garden Project’s founder Paul Lee. “The Homeless Garden Project represents the deep therapy that comes from working so closely with your food in the garden,” said Alice Waters. “It proves that this works.”

Founded in 1990, HGP provides job training and transitional employment to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Some of the programs take place in its 3-acre organic farm, where trainees plant, grow and harvest. HGP also provides volunteer and educational opportunities for community members who want to learn about and practice sustainable agriculture and social justice, and operates a year-round gift shop.

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