Wine, food event draws large crowd

Wine, food and art drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people to Friday and Saturday's Corning Rotary Club Wine, Food and Art Festival, held at Rolling Hills Casino.

"We made from than $10,000 from the event," said Rotarian Tony Cardenas, who co-chaired the event. "Not all of that is profit of course, we still have to pay for our expenses, but the rest will go towards scholarships and helping to support groups and organizations that helped with ticket sales."

Rotarian Steve Kimbrough said on Friday night that things were "going really well," and he was pleased with the good weather and great turnout. "We really want to thank Lisa Rodriguez for all of her hard work in chairing this event, she was key to its success," he said.

Each person who attended the event received a wine glass holding a raffle ticket and $5 free slot play ticket as they entered the door.

From there guests were able to enjoy a vast display of art, wine booths, cooking demonstration and clam chowder cook off.

Corning Rotary was very pleased to announce its clam chowder booth won the cook off, competing against five other entries — CEEF Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Willows Rotary Club, Redding Rotary Club and Red Bluff Noon Rotary Club.

"We thank Julie Torres for helping us with our clam chowder entry and fellow Rotarian Darryl Stewart for his help and support," Cardenas said.

Wineries from all across the North State had a wide variety of wines for guests to sample and purchase. Leslie Sunseri of New Clairvaux Vineyards of Vina, said she was enjoying the opportunity to let guests sample the wine and explain where the vineyard is located and its history.

Rolling Hills Casino Food and Beverage Manager James Rosenbalm gave cooking demonstrations, preparing and serving pan seared true cod, wild mushroom beurre blanc, rice medley and vanilla bean ice cream.

The crowd waiting to sample his delicacies was large, but well pleased with the outcome.

Enveloping the room of guests and booths was the art display, which featured a wide variety of custom artwork from Corning High School art students, the Red Bluff Art Association and Tehama County Photography Club.

Overall, guests were able to enjoy the commodities of at least 26 vendors during this seventh annual festival.