cookiesinheaven

Happy birthday, California Homemade Food Act.  

Jan. 1 marks one year since AB1616, signed into law in September 2012, was implemented, and it has created quite a stir in home kitchens throughout California. The law allows Californians to make and sell certain non-hazardous foods out of their kitchens. According to a story in the Independent, foods that don't include cream or meat — such as bread, fruits, baked goods, jarred goods and dry mixes — could now all bypass commercial production and be sold out of a home kitchen, according to the law.  

More than 2,000 cottage food permits have been issued throughout California, and of those, 860 were issued in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. 

...After sampling what kitchenpreneurs are cooking up, items at your local grocery store will seem overtly massed produced, unappealing, unfortunately bland and uninspired. 

With all this talent and incredibly unique food items, what prevented these individuals from launching their own food business before this law went into effect? The answer is simple: money. The cost of working in a commercial kitchen ranges from $30 to $40 per hour plus a commitment to a number of hours per month to maintain the time slot. - Huntington Beach Independent

Chef Ricardo Zarate and his business partner, Stephane Bombet, are parting ways. The two took the concept for what was Zarate’s original tiny Peruvian stand in the Mercado la Paloma and opened a string of upscale restaurants within a couple of years -- starting with Picca Peru, then a refashioned Mo-Chica downtown, followed by Paiche in Marina Del Rey. The latest (and the first out-of-town location), Blue Tavern, opened in Santa Barbara just last month. "After five years we decided very, very amicably to part ways," Bombet said. "I have a different vision, I want to work with different chefs on different concepts. That’s been my goal. What we created didn’t allow that. - LATimes

Steve Gertman and family are opening the Buellton liquor distillery’s doors to the public for tours and tastings this Saturday and Sunday. The venture, located off Highway 101 at 37 Industrial Way, Suite 103, will also be the only legal distillery on the Central Coast, Gertman told Noozhawk. “The industry as a whole is taking off,” said Gertman, who studied at the American Distilling Institute. “This is really a perfect spot.” - Noozhawk

California’s wine industry is the focus of an upcoming report on “In Focus with Martin Sheen,” which is expected to air this fall on public television across the United States.The show hosted by actor Martin Sheen highlights industries that exhibit growth through innovation, and contribute to their community. Each year, California’s wine industry produces more than $20 billion in revenue, trailing only France, Italy and Spain as the world’s top producers.Our state’s wine industry is also a leader in its efforts to utilize sustainable farming techniques.Sheen, who has nearly five decades in the entertainment industry and more than 60 feature films and television roles to his credit, hosts the series. - Santa Maria Times

00000029, a photo by santa barbarian on Flickr.

We are happy to announce that the French Festival will now be in the capable hands of two fine Santa Barbara non-profit organizations: Speaking of Stories and Center Stage Theater. They've got show biz in their blood, and have been part of the Festival for many years (vending the beer, wine and Perrier). French Festival founder Steve Hoegerman will continue to play an active role in the Festival as advisor and consultant. And will still be the emcee on the Moulin Rouge Stage and at the Poodle Parade. So if you've missed his jokes, you'll have a chance to hear them again!

The transfer of the Festival to this new group will allow the Festival to grow into the future. Our goal is for the Festival to continue for years and years. We do NOT want to make any major changes: we want the same joyous Festival you have known and loved to be here forever. It will be the same great Festival, and now all the proceeds will benefit these two great community organizations helping keep the arts alive in Santa Barbara throughout the year.

This summer's Festival will be a triumphant return and we are excited to celebrate Bastille Day with all of Santa Barbara in beautiful Oak Park on July 14 & 15! 

Even though House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi recently called food trucks "a model for small business innovation," other California legislators are considerably less bullish on the whole phenomenon.

Last week, Carmel Assemblyman Bill Monning introduced a bill prohibiting food trucks from selling food within 1,500 feet of an elementary or secondary school between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

Monning's bill is intended to be part of the state's effort to create a healthier eating environment for its school children. Some educators feel that a whole slew of newly implemented programs--such as LAUSD's new, district-wide healthy lunch menu or Santa Barbara's revolutionary s'Cool Food initiative--are being undermined by the presence of nearby food trucks slinging significantly less healthy options. - HuffPo

McGrath State Beach is one of the best bird-watching areas in California, with the lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and sand dunes along the shore. A nature trail leads to the Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve. Two miles of beach provide surfing and fishing opportunities, however, swimmers are urged to use caution because of strong currents and riptides. The park offers campsites by the beach. - California State Parks