Sol Food Festival

This was a cool event. Last year vaguely around the same time was Taste of the Market and yes, I know that was sponsored by Toyota and the deal was to promote one of their cars, BUT the event offered nibbles from local chefs and freebies to participants. Sol Food was also a time for sampling and learning about local food businesses and workshops.

It took place at Vera Cruz Park, across the street from the Saturday morning market and appeared to be very well attended. Lots of people of all ages and all walks of life. I definitely saw a lot of my hippie friends, and my yuppie DINKy type of friends and family friends. Basically, everyone likes good food and the people who help bring it to Santa Barbara.

There were ostrich chicks (kawaiii!!!) and Shepherd Farms displayed a sample box of produce for their CSA.

The folks of Edible Santa Barbara were there, chatting with people and giving out copies of their latest Edibles magazine. Bona Dea was selling canned and pickled produce – they hope to open a brick and mortar location soon, btw.

There was a display of lovely heirloom beans and herbs, and other creatures at the Festival included a hen and her chicks and a gregarious turkey named Pilgrim.

The food on offer included vegetarian hand rolls from Studio Nihon, free grass fed beef samples, and a grass fed beef burger with salad. I wish there’d been more prepared food to sell, it was just a few vendors and the queues were long for them.

There goes that wacky fun Pilgrim turkey again! He just can’t stay away from the crowds.

Sol Food Festival website.