{"id":1965,"date":"2015-05-28T01:51:03","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T05:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=1965"},"modified":"2015-05-28T01:51:03","modified_gmt":"2015-05-28T05:51:03","slug":"santa-cruz-cancer-benefit-groups-gala-dinner-a-big-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=1965","title":{"rendered":"Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group’s gala dinner a big success"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Spring<\/a>

Spring Forward Against Cancer 2015 attendees enjoying themselves at Sesnon House in Aptos<\/p><\/div>\n

Cabrillo College culinary arts students used their talents to transport dinner guests to Morocco at the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group\u2019s Spring Forward Against Cancer gala earlier this month. The successful benefit, held at Sesnon House, raised thousands of dollars for cancer research via Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group (SCCBG<\/a>).<\/p>\n

To celebrate SCCBG\u2019s 20th anniversary in a grand fashion, event organizers used the theme \u201cA Night in Casablanca.\u201d Attendees enjoyed an atmosphere modeled on \u201cRick\u2019s Caf\u00e9 Am\u00e9ricain\u201d which included live piano, first-rate food and wine prepared and served by Cabrillo students, and KSBW news anchor Dale Julian serving as emcee. There was a silent auction with prizes such as a trip to France, local handmade jewelry, and restaurant gift certificates.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s not already on your calendars, make sure to save the date for September\u2019s Gourmet Grazing on the Green<\/strong>: it\u2019s Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at Aptos Village Park. The annual event hosted by SCCBG usually sells out a few days ahead of time. I\u2019ll be sure to publish a preview\/ reminder article as the food and wine celebration gets closer. It\u2019s a wonderful event; last year there were more than 25 participating restaurants, farms, and food vendors plus a couple dozen wineries, breweries and distilleries. Attendees pay one admission price to benefit SCCBG and then receive complimentary food and drinks from the generous local chefs, winemakers, etc. who have donated their products.<\/p>\n

Over the last two decades, SCCBG has distributed more than $1.5 million to directly support the Santa Cruz community. Proceeds from SCCBG\u2019s events, including April\u2019s Spring Forward gala and the upcoming Gourmet Grazing on the Green in September, benefit these local cancer support and research organizations:<\/p>\n