![\"\"](\"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/solaire-salad.jpg\" "\\"solaire")
<\/a>Paradox Panzanella salad with fris\u00e9e, castelvetrano olives, ricotta salata and tomato<\/p><\/div>The annual Gourmet Grazing on the Green, with many local wines, a few beers, and lots of gourmet food cooked by local chefs, raises vital funds for the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group (SCCBG<\/a>). Last weekend\u2019s event\u2014the 9th annual Gourmet Grazing on Saturday September 15\u2014actually sold out several days in advance. It\u2019s a great event and I highly recommend buying your tickets early next year (they are traditionally sold at New Leaf Community Market, and $65 each or $500 for 10). The organizers do limit the number of tickets sold, which makes for a very pleasant environment. It doesn\u2019t get too crowded to enjoy the event, and it still raises a lot of money. In fact, this year\u2019s Gourmet Grazing raised more than $65,000 (up from $56,000 in 2011).<\/p>\n Admission includes food, wine, beer, a souvenir wineglass, and live music. <\/p>\n Here are some of my favorites from last weekend\u2019s festival (although it’s hard to pick — everything I ate was delicious!):<\/p>\n \u2022\tThe Whole Enchilada: Squash blossom and zucchini tamale with avocado green salsa Other participating restaurants included The Crow’s Nest, Beast BBQ, Caf\u00e9 Ella, Hula\u2019s Island Grill & Tiki Room, The Penny Ice Creamery, Shadowbrook Restaurant, and Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine. <\/p>\n Participating wineries and breweries included Alfaro Family Vineyards and Winery, Burrell School Vineyards, Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Seabright Brewery, Sones Cellars, and Vino Tabi.<\/p>\n SCCBG has funded cancer research and local groups — including many that support people living with cancer — since 1995. The organization was started by a small group of friends who used to play tennis together once a week; they had each lost a relative or friend to cancer and wanted to do something to make a difference. The first event the group hosted was a Spring Forward Against Cancer Tennis Tournament and Celebration; these tournaments are still held each year. Proceeds from SCCBG\u2019s events, including this year\u2019s Gourmet Grazing, benefit these local cancer support and research organizations: Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Jacob\u2019s Heart Children\u2019s Cancer Support and Services, The Katz Cancer Resource Center, UCSC Cancer Research, and WomenCARE.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The annual Gourmet Grazing on the Green, with many local wines, a few beers, and lots of gourmet food cooked by local chefs, raises vital funds for the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group (SCCBG). Last weekend\u2019s event\u2014the 9th annual Gourmet … Continue reading
\n\u2022\tSolaire Restaurant and Bar (at the new Hotel Paradox): Two great dishes – Paradox Panzanella salad with fris\u00e9e, castelvetrano olives, ricotta salata and tomato plus Niku maki with thinly sliced beef, scallions, sweet soy and ginger sauce
\n\u2022\tJohnny’s Harborside: Salmon salad served atop a mini-BLT
\n\u2022\tCaf\u00e9 Cruz: Southwestern gazpacho with shrimp
\n\u2022\tCaf\u00e9 Rio: Local king salmon cakes with cabbage & carrot slaw, chili lime cream sauce & wasabi sesame seeds
\n\u2022\tNiman Ranch: Pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon
\n\u2022\tCoastal Chef Personal Chef Service: Rainbow Carrot and beet green salad with pistachios, golden raisins, and ginger vinaigrette<\/p>\n