Tag Archives: Orange County

Salt Creek Grille Celebrates National Dessert Month & Fundraiser for Bracken’s Kitchen

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Salt Creek Grille Celebrates National Dessert Month & Fundraiser for Bracken’s Kitchen

By Erin

Salt Creek Grille is one of my favorite restaurants to dine at in Southern California (you can check out more of the food I’ve tried before here). For the month of October they are celebrating National Dessert Month with a Fundraiser for Bracken’s Kitchen. If you love all things pumpkin then you will want to have this dessert everyday. It’s the perfect fall treat and it’s for a great cause!

Salt Creek Grille, a bi-coastal, premium casual dining concept with five iconic restaurants in California and New Jersey, is having a fundraiser in October to benefit Bracken’s Kitchen, an much-admired and innovative non-profit organization that recovers, re-purposes and restores food to provide healthy meals to those experiencing hunger and food insecurity in Orange County. During October, which is celebrated across the country as National Dessert Month, proceeds from every dessert sold at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point will be donated to the non-profit.

Salt Creek Grille’s Corporate Executive Chef has created a special, limited-edition dessert for the month — the Pumpkin Fireball, a delectable mélange of Japanese pumpkin cake, pumpkin cheesecake bites, cinnamon ice cream, crisp graham cracker and pumpkin seed crumble, and topped with a “fireball” toasted marshmallow puff and salted caramel. Guests can also choose among several other perennial dessert favorites on the menu, such as Tres Leche Bread Pudding, Butterscotch Custard, Flourless Chocolate Cake, The Creek S’mores, Butter Cake, Seasonal Fruit Sorbet, and a Chocolate Ganache Soufflé that is made-to-order and finished tableside.

“Here at Salt Creek Grille, we long have admired the amazing and truly valuable work of Chef Bill Bracken and so respect his mission to end hunger in our community,” said Sri Divel, partner, Salt Creek Grille. “We couldn’t’ think of a more fun and delicious way to support his work at Bracken’s Kitchen than with a fundraiser built around everyone’s favorite part of a meal – dessert!”

“With over 299,000 people struggling to put a meal on their table every day here in Orange County it truly takes a village to conquer this monumental problem,” said Bill Bracken, Founder and Culinary Director, Bracken’s Kitchen. “I have always felt that if the culinary and hospitality industry can’t help solve the issues of hunger in America than who can? As a long time fan of the Salt Creek Grill concept, I am truly honored to have them in our corner and helping us to combat food insecurity one tasty meal at a time.”

About Bracken’s Kitchen

Bracken’s Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Orange County California.  Founded in 2013 their mission is simple: Through food recovery, culinary training and their community feeding program they are committed to recovering, re-purposing and restoring both food and lives. What that means in practical terms is that the days are spent in the kitchen doing what they do best, cooking tasty and nutritious meals for those who struggle to feed themselves and their families.  Through their food truck Betsy and network of partners, they are able to distribute thousands of complete, hot, tasty and nutritious meals every week.

We all share the two most basic human needs for survival, the need to breath and the need to eat.  The problem is that air is free, and food is not.  It is that simple fact that gives food such enormous power over a person’s life. There is no better way to intimately get to know a person than sitting down and breaking bread with them.  They deliver hope, one tasty meal at a time.  The heart of who they are can be found in a statement first uttered in 1957 by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr;  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

At the core of their mission is a deep commitment to their nonprofit charity partners, business and professional supporters, volunteers, donors and employees.

About Salt Creek Grille

Now with five restaurants in Southern California and New Jersey, award-winning Salt Creek Grille opened its first restaurant in Dana Point, California, in 1996. The upscale yet casual and affordable American-theme grill has since expanded to El Segundo and Valencia in California, and Princeton and Rumson in New Jersey.  Salt Creek Grille’s longevity can be attributed to its legendary hospitality and innovative cuisine from its “scratch kitchen.” Fresh, hand-cut, line-caught seafood, thick, center-cut and aged steaks, slow-cooked ribs, the best-in-town burgers cooked atop a hardwood grille, and the freshest produce available are at the heart of this now iconic restaurant company. Absolutely nothing is pre-made including its delectable desserts and flavorful sauces and stocks such as its famous homemade jus, which is cooked for more than 72 hours. Wines from boutique vineyards and well-known cellars are paired with impeccable service and a friendly and comfortable ambiance. Along with innovative food, Salt Creek Grille has a long history of supporting non-profit organizations in the communities it serves. www.saltcreekgrille.com.

Knott’s Scary Farm 2019

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Knott’s Scary Farm 2019

By Kirstin

Boo! It is that time of year again when all of the ghosts, ghouls and every un-dead creature roams our favorite Southern California theme park! I am of course talking about Knott’s Scary Farm 2019!  Back for it’s 47th year, the preview that we went to last week spoke of new horrors we could never have imagined in the wildest fog of our nightmares!

Scary Farm 2019 will be 26 frightful nights from September 19- November 2nd, 2019.

Every inch of Knott’s Scary Farm is filled with the un-dead, bloodcurling beasts, spine-chilling scares, and un-earthly surprises.  14 haunted attractions await those who dare to enter the parks other-worldly domain.  There will be 4 spine tingling scare zones, 9 menacing mazes, and the spooky overhaul of Timber Mountain Log ride!

This year, 2 new mazes will join the time tested favorites.

Imagine hearing strange noises and eerie lights coming from the old abandoned wax museum!  Spooky enough in the day time, the prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, welcomes you to stay… forever. Those wax figures look awfully familiar, don’t they? Ignore the rumors of bloodcurdling screams that filled the nights before.  What was that noise?! It must be the new WAXWORKS Maze!

All fans of Knott’s Berry Farm are familiar with the history of Calico Ghost Town, aren’t they? Why do you feel strange ghostly presence as you stumble through the fog walking through Calico? Discover how Sarah Marshall is put on trial for suspected crimes of witchcraft and discover who is behind all of the curses through the town, the Green Witch! What are all those horrific creatures with the eternal thirst for the living? Oh those are just the Calico townsfolk whom she cursed! Find ORIGINS: The Curse of Calico, if you dare.

Need a break from being scared out of your minds?  Knott’s Scary Farm has teamed up with the Jim Henson Company to make a show that will have you peeing in your pants for a different reason! You might actually only die laughing though. PUPPET UP!-Uncensored will have your sides splitting as you the audience control this outrageous, off-the-cuff live show featuring a combination of improvisional comedy and the magic of puppetry performed by world class comedian puppeteers. Think, Whose Line is it Anyway but a little more raunchy and brazen. With Brian Henson(son of Jim Henson) and  Patrick Bristow(director of Ellen, Seinfeld and Whose Line is it Anyway), this show is a win-win. However, I do NOT recommend this show for younger audiences due to its adult content.

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CHOC Walk in the Park 2019 and Giveaway!

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CHOC Walk in the Park 2019 and Giveaway!

By Monica Young

Just last week I attended the CHOC Walk media mixer event celebrating Disneyland’s birthday at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. During this mixer we were able to network and enjoy CHOCTails, delicious food (like shrimp and grits, tomato soup with mickey ears made out of grilled cheese sandwiches and even some Kahlua-filled beignets.

Since 1964, the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has provided loving care to children. In 1990, CHOC partnered with Disneyland and created the “Walk in the Park,” a 5k fundraising walk. Since the beginning of the partnership, Disneyland and CHOC have raised over $32,000,000 for CHOC programs and services.

The 2018 CHOC Walk raised $2.9 million dollars to help kids in Southern California. These funds go towards covering medical treatments so families don’t have to worry about bills. Money also went towards the Mental Health Inpatient Center, the ASPIRE Intensive Outpatient Program and broke ground on the Thompson Autism Center.

The CHOC Walk is happening August 11th at Disneyland Resort. Anyone can register to participate in the walk, which will go through Disneyland Resort. The registration fees and donations for the walk go to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)

Event Details

  • When: Sunday, August 11, 2019 (entrance cutoff time is 7:15)
  • Where: Disneyland Resort (Opening Ceremony at Main Street U.S.A. at 6:00 am)
  • Cost: $85 (early bird prior to 7/29/19) per CHOC Walk participant/team member (ages 3 and older). The price increases to $95 after 7/29/2019. 
  • Walkers ages 2 and under FREE
  • 5K walk through Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park. (route TBD)
  • Parking:  Free parking is available at the Disneyland Resort for all CHOC Walk participants (parking lot opens at 4:00 am) 
  • By participating in CHOC Walk, you can receive discounts at Downtown Disney the day of the walk, as well as reduced admission prices at both parks ($67 – 1-Day, 1-Park ticket (valid at either Disneyland® Park OR Disney California Adventure® Park) and $93 – Disneyland® Resort 1-Day Park Hopper® ticket for BOTH Parks. (To receive discounted ticket prices, you will need to show your CHOC Walk wristband at the ticket booth. The ticket can be used August 11, 2019 through September 10, 2019 with the following blackout dates: 8/31/19 – 9/03/19)
  • As you walk you get to meet special Disney characters and also get the opportunity to take some photos with CHOC bear!
  • Registration: CHOCWalk.org

During our media mixer, we learned about the CHOC Walk happening August 11, 2019. We got the rundown on this years “Walk in the Park” events and fundraisers, including the special pin and medallion available and prizes for Annual Pass holders (AP) that are walking under the AP team. Here is a recap of what we learned

  • This is the 29th annual CHOC Walk in the Park, Presented by Disneyland.
  • CHOC Walk is a 5K walk through Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney to help raise funds for research and services at CHOC Children’s
  • Disneyland AP can join the AP team and win prizes such as: Star Wars 2019 collector’s pin, a Star Wars drawstring backpack, and AP Star Wars insulated water bottle. (insert photo of AP prizes)
  • There are also incentives for those walking in other teams. The 2019 pin for those that fundraise $225 and the 2019 Medallion for those that raise $350 (insert photo of pin and medallion)
  • Now there is an option to Fundraise via Facebook. So much easier to get those donations going.

 The countdown to the 2019 CHOC Walk in the Park is on, with less than a month to go, who is going to join me in my efforts to fundraise money for a good cause?

GIVEAWAY FOR 2 CHOC WALK WRISTBANDS!!

We even have two (2) wristbands to giveaway!! The two wristbands will allow you to attend the CHOC Walk as walkers without fundraising. You will, however, have to sign up to walk, but your $85 early bird registration minimum will be waived and you will need to pick up your wristbands during CHOC Walk check-in on Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th at the CHOC Walk offices in Orange. Hours and location info on CHOC Walk check-in here: https://www.chocwalk.org/Static/Event-Check-In. Winners must be a US resident, 18 years of age or older. One winner per household. Void where prohibited by law and no purchase necessary to win. Ends 7/25/19 at 12AM PST Good-luck!

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