The Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club hosted an annual fundraising event Sept. 15 in the horticulture area at Bakersfield College.
“It is a fundraising event of our Rotary,” said BBRC President Ed Knudson, “and we’re part of Rotary international, and it is the largest service organization in the world. Over 1.3 million members in over 33,000 clubs in over 120 countries worldwide.”
The fundraiser is the largest for the club all year. Many of the proceeds from the event go to benefit students through scholarships and children that are in need or well being.
“Our focus this year is on children’s literacy, health and safety,” said BBRC President Ed Knudson.
The main cause for the night was to raise funds for the Jamison Center Foundation.
“The Jamison Center is funded by the county, and the foundation provides money that the county cannot,” said Knudson.
“Last year we gave $10,000,” continued Knudson. “This year out of net proceeds, approximately 15 to $20,000 will go to the Jamison (Center Foundation).”
That number is not a calculated result. A board has to meet and come up with the exact figures for donation.
“We’re raising funds for not only our organization,” said Fundraising Chairman Cecil Martin.
Money was raised through a priced tag of 65 dollars a ticket. “We had a little over 450 in attendance out of 507 tickets sold,” said Knudson.
There was also a silent auction that was alive throughout the evening with such items as a Bombay entry cabinet and chest with a tobacco finish and marble top that was valued at $1,000. Other items included fresh water peals at a value of $595 and a trip to golf with PGA champion Fred Couples at the St.Vincent’s sixth annual Golf Classic in Santa Barbara on Oct. 8, which was at a value of $750.
There were also two raffle prizes that were given to a random guest at a cost of $100 a ticket.
“We have two prizes that we are pulling in a raffle,” said Martin, “and that is a trip for two to Tuscany and that includes air-fare, ground transportation and a villa with a personal chef for ten days. The second prize is a two-year lease on a (2008) Mustang.”
The theme for this year was “Tuscany at Twilight” and it was a bit different than previous years. “It was the first time we did that particular scene,” said Knudson, “and I think that was the first time something of that size was put on in that area.”
In the years past, the theme has been New Orleans, but the club’s committee decided to have a different style. “The last nine years we used the theme of New Orleans,” said Knudson, “but this year we decided to give it a fresh look and it was very successful.”
The trees were strewn with golden, round bulbs and dangling glass chandeliers as the background of piano and violin were provided by Wendell and Liz Kenny. Entertainment for later in the evening was provided by Los Angeles based Opera singers Chelsea Dehn (soprano), Brian Dehn (tenor), and William Sovich (piano).
As the sun began to set, a brighter glow was provided by the lights. Plants were placed upon all tables including the serving table.
The Bakersfield College Food Services staff and the Culinary Arts program catered food.
“We asked them to cater because they do an excellent job,” said Knudson.
The menu consisted of elegant Italian cuisine with main dishes such as chicken marcela with wild mushrooms and fennel crusted pork loin.
As the theme changed in decoration and night, so did the food.
“We have done this event for the last 10-12 years,” said Chef Pat Coyle, ” and it’s been Cajun, but now it was Italian.”
The night was a bit different but did not change the mentality of the Chefs involved.
“That’s fine with us,” said Coyle. “This was a little more challenging and fun.”
The department began coming up with ideas since last May. Chef Alex Gomez, Coyle and Chef Suzanne Davis were involved with the initial concepts. The students then mold their own ideas into the meal.
“Our students are involved in every aspect of the recipe,” said Coyle.
A test dinner was then run and the board for the BBRC approved and critiqued the menu as well as the chefs and students themselves searching the menu for fallacies.
“Now when we criticize it, it has to meet our standards and from our mark everything was excellent.”
“The food was magnificent,” said Nina Alvarado, Special Ed Department aide at McKinnely Elementary school. “Can I give it like 10 stars?”
Other patrons commented as well, such as Jan Winchester: “They did a very beautiful job, and it’s very elegant with the lights and chandeliers. It was very romantic being outside with the trees.”