The Annual Olivewood Gardens Seedling Soirée Has a Hit for Fresh Food Lovers
Written By: Stephanie Bina
Photographed By: Josie Gonzales and Albert Vintayen National City’s Seedling Soiree
On Saturday, May 5, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center hosted 250 guests at their annual Seedling Soirée in National City. Attendees started the evening wandering the spring garden enjoying vibrant cocktails crafted by local mixologists Snake Oil Cocktail Co. and Misadventure & Co., wine by Triple B Ranches, Stehleon Vineyards, and Vesper Vineyards, plus beer by SR76 Beerworks, cider from Ranging Cider and Mead. Guests enjoyed appetizers made with ingredients straight from the garden and local farms including Be Wise Ranch and Stehly Farms Organics created by Joe Magnanelli of Urban Kitchen Group, the Berry Good Food Foundation, DJ Tangalin of Bivouac Ciderworks, and The Olivewood Kitchenistas with Marguerite Grifka.
After getting a taste, the party moved into the beautiful outdoor dining area for a culinary feast prepared by some of San Diego’s best chefs: Kevin Templeton of barleymash, The Smoking Gun and Spill the Beans; “MasterChef” winner Claudia Sandoval; Christina Ng of Chinitas Pies; Isabel Cruz of Isabel’s Cantina and Joe Pastry of Waters Catering & Fine Foods and WooBar.
While digging into the garden-inspired cuisine, guests shared laughs with emcee and TV host Sam the Cooking Guy. A high schooler also shared their experience on how they developed a healthier lifestyle while interning in the “Garden-to-Kitchen” program at Olivewood. The live auction closed the evening sending winners to some incredible restaurants like the historic Noyes house of Olivewood Gardens and the San Diego Bay for dinner on a sunset sailboat cruise. Guests helped Olivewood Gardens plant the seeds of good health by offering an incredible amount of support for Olivewood’s nutrition education programs and upcoming Teaching Kitchen remodel. And that is something we can all stand for, appetites and forks at the ready!
Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center
2525 N Ave
National City, CA 91950
619.434.4281 National City’s Seedling Soiree
