By Mary O’KEEFE

The La Cañada Flintridge 14th Annual Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting was held on Sept. 25, filling Memorial Park with booths, tables and a lot of supporters.

The La Cañada Kiwanis Foundation, La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Vendome Wine & Spirits sponsored the afternoon event. Patrons were able to sample offerings from restaurants and caterers like Franks Famous and ETC Gourmet Kitchen and stores such as Trader Joe’s, Gelson’s and Ralphs markets. And for the first time the Kiwanis featured novelty premium wines not normally found in stores that included a 2013 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs that was signed by the vintner and a 2008 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

“Every event is different though we use the same formula year after year but our wonderful beverages change,” said organizer Mary Gant. “This year there were beers and ciders that Vendome Wine & Spirits brought in and were delightful on so warm a day, as well as all the incredible wines poured. This year we had some of the outstanding food vendors return who have come every year and also new places such as Luna Grill and a Brazilian dessert caterer, My Sweet Bites, which is local.  It was a great mix of restaurants, caterers, and our delightful ‘grocery stores’ from La Cañada and surrounding areas.”

Profits from tickets sales will benefit the many philanthropic organizations that The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada sponsors including Key Club at La Cañada High School and Builders Club in La Cañada Middle School. The Club also supports Fiesta Days barbeque and YMCA Prayer Breakfast and feeds Rose Parade float workers.

“There are many ongoing programs directed toward children internationally as well [that we support],” Gant said. “Always our efforts are ‘Serving Children of the World.’  We look forward to seeing everyone in the early fall of 2017 for our 15th annual W&GFT.”

  Mary Okeefe