Taste at the Beach Benefits School Libraries

The sound of champagne bottles popping open, jazz band tunes and friendly chatter mixed well with the sweet aroma of dishes from some of Hermosa's best restaurants at the fifth annual Taste at the Beach on Sunday.

Residents and visitors flocked to the Community Center on the corner of PCH and Pier Avenue to sample the fine food, and participate in a silent auction at the event hosted by the Kiwanis Club.

Proceeds from the social affair will benefit the libraries at Hermosa Valley School and Hermosa View School. The libraries' hours of operation for the upcoming academic year were cut back due to the school district's financial budget.

"This money will help the library to stay open before, during, and after school," said Bob McEachen, Taste at the Beach committee chairman, who added that access to the libraries benefits a child's education.

The Kiwanis Club has used the Taste to support community needs annually. When the first Taste at the Beach was organized five years ago, it was originally planned to benefit the Hermosa Beach Historical Society.

During that time, the historical society was given its space at the Community Center, and needed some money for the historical museum, McEachen said.

After seeing that the event was a social and civic success, it was held again the following year to benefit the Hermosa Beach Art Walk.

"After that it took a life of its own," McEachen said.

More than 200 tickets were pre-sold for this year's Taste, and some sold at the door, according to Adrienne Slaughter, Kiwanis Club's president-elect and Taste at the Beach committee member. She said that each year more people are in attendance.

"I like seeing a lot of new faces and, in addition to that, we have several new restaurants," Slaughter said.

The Taste allows residents and visitors to get acquainted with local cuisine, said Amber Caudle, executive chef at Mediterraneo.

"It's fun to meet new people and introduce people to new flavors," she said while standing next to a platter of eggplant antipasti, hummus with pita and fresh mozzarella.

Along with Mediterraneo, 20 other local eateries had booths at the event, dishing out samples of their menu. Whole Foods was a more mainstream vendor, offering wine and cheese samples exclusive to the store. The platter of hors d'oeuvres resembled something that could easily be assembled at a backyard gathering.

"We put together party platters that you can serve at home," said vendor Lisa Gevov while offering a visitor flatbread and seaside cheddar cheese.

Brian and Teresa Rooker of Berardo winery allowed visitors to wash down the cheese with wine from the company's villa in Paso Robles, Calif. The villa, which opened just two years ago, also doubles as a bed and breakfast.

As more food-lovers and restaurateurs stopped by the Community Center for the festivities, Slaughter looked around at the tables of smiling faces.

"You know, even when this started, it's always been beautiful," she said.