Video: Basil Aficionados Attend Pesto Madness Fundraiser

Despite the blustery conditions, several dozen people turned out Saturday to Venice High Learning Garden’s annual Pesto Madness Fundraiser.

For a $10 entry fee, attendees were treated to a smorgasbord lunch with lots of pasta and of course, pesto. It was a relaxed, laid-back affair as people sat around chatting and drinking homemade lemonade.

Master Gardener David King took people on a tour of the garden and also held a pesto making demonstration (see video). As with any live event, there’s always the possibility of a hiccough and the pesto making demonstration did have a slight hitch. Nonetheless, the results were delicious and plenty of people bought the $8 homemade jars of pesto to take home. The recipe is listed in the attached photograph.

All the monies raised went to support the non-profit The Learning Garden, which has become an integral part of the community, and King was honored at the Abbot Kinney festival with a award on Sunday for his work (see photos).

It’s been a busy week for King who also received an award on behalf of the from the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition. (see photos).