The area’s signature culinary event happens Sunday, September 10, 2017 from Noon-3:00 p.m. at Riviera Park. The popular Taste of the Town Santa Barbara features samplings from 80 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and spirits providers, with a silent auction of lifestyle items; photo booth, VIP Lounge and live jazz entertainment by the David Tovar Trio. All proceeds from the event support the local programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation. Margerum will be fêted by organizers and presented with an award honoring his support and service over the past four decades
Doug Margerum
A native of Southern California, Doug Margerum began his food & wine journey in childhood while traveling with his parents in France and Italy. He worked as a restaurant cook and server throughout high school and college while continuing to hone his culinary skills. In 1981, the same year he graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics, Margerum’s family purchased the Wine Cask, a small retail store in downtown Santa Barbara; it grew into a bistro and fine-dining establishment when it expanded in 1991, winning praise from critics including the late Julia Child, a long-time friend and supporter. Doug launched the Wine Cask Futures Program in 1984 which elevated the exposure of Santa Barbara wines nationally. In 1994, the Wine Cask became one of only 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award. In 2001, Margerum Wine Company began in a cozy 240-square foot cold room behind Brander Vineyards in Santa Ynez. Margerum’s philosophy is handcrafted and personal—then as now, Margerum Wine Company produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown at the top vineyards around Santa Barbara County; created since 2012 at a winery located in Buellton. Margerum primarily produces M5 (a Rhône varietal red blend), a co-fermented Syrah called ÜBER; SYBARITE Sauvignon Blanc and RIVIERA Rosé. In 2014, Margerum released BARDEN wines – an exploration of cold climate grapes grown in and around the Santa Rita Hills AVA.
The 2017 Taste of the Town Santa Barbara also features the 8th annual Connoisseurs’ Circle Gala Dinner on Friday, September 8 at Bacara Resort & Spa. The evening features a 4-course gourmet dinner by 2017 Honorary Lead Chef Mark Strausman from Freds at Barneys New York, who will be pairing Margerum wines with his food.
Returning to co-chair this 36th annual Santa Barbara food & wine tradition are opal Restaurant & Bar co-owners, Tina Takaya and Richard Yates. All proceeds from Taste of the Town Santa Barbara events support the programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation. The Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of 53 million people (including nearly 300,000 children) with arthritis through health education, advocacy, research, and local juvenile arthritis support. More information Cn be had at www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb
Editor's note: Should you be going to Sant Barbara, first visit the Resource Directory of Taste California where you'll find links to the websites of hundreds of Lodging and Dining options, as well as links to area Wineries and Craft Beer purveyors.