The Valley Line: Hillsides H100 is ready for the next century
It was an exquisite summer evening when nearly 100 guests gathered near Descanso Garden’s famed rose garden for the Hillsides H100’s fifth annual “Farm to Table Dinner” fundraising event.
Hillsides H100 is a philanthropic support group of Hillsides aimed at young professional members. This one-of-a-kind event combined friends, fine dining, and a beautiful setting while raising funds for Hillsides teen residential homes in the area.
The group takes its name from the fact that last year Hillsides, established in 1913, celebrated its centennial. H100 is the new generation to help the agency for the next 100 years.
The surrounding floral bower was in full bloom and the air perfumed with the scent of roses as guests first gathered for a reception of enhanced lemonade and sparkling water while they chatted and tasted an array of passed appetizers.
Among some of the Foothills guests were Catalina and Paul Haaga III, Holly and Peter Breckheimer, Melissa and Dan Harper. Also on the guest list were Katherine and Armen Panossian, Blythe Haaga, and Alison Stewart. Catalina Haaga has recently joined the Hillsides board.
Each year this dinner is unique in not only the way it is served family style, but also the ingredients are fresh, organic and beautifully presented. This year’s menu was prepared by Patina at Descanso and expertly prepared and served by the Patina Group cook and wait staff.
Dinner was served in the Rose Pavilion, a Craftsman-style open-air dining area. The “farm-type” long tables were strikingly set and the guest place cards were so cleverly done. Each name tag, written in calligraphy, was attached with a silver-like pin to a large red radish, still with its green top attached.
Each course of the dinner was accompanied by specially chosen wines from Mission Wines. The dinner began with a Windrose Farms wild baby-arugula salad with fava beans, pecorino, lemon and Adams Ranch virgin olive oil. Also served during this vegetable garden presentation were Scarborough Farms vegetables in various preparations, red quinoa, organic dried fruit and citrus dressing. A Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2012 from Napa Valley was served.
The entrée was wild Atlantic salmon, McGrath Family Farms heirloom tomatoes, orange and fresh basil relish. Another choice was grilled grass-fed Bartels Farm hanger steak with fresh herb chimichurri. The wine was a Vogelzang Birdsong Red 2010, Santa Barbara. Accompaniments to the entrees were a sweet corn ravioli, mushrooms, crushed hazelnuts, roasted artichoke, lime brown butter, sautéed Flora Bella rapini, garlic, crushed red pepper and caramelized heirloom cauliflower and parmigiano cheese.
The dessert course was a Pudwill Farms red raspberry lemon bundt cake and mini-chocolate mousse petit fours.
April Danz, president of H100 support group, stepped to the podium to welcome the guests. “The fifth annual Farm to Table Dinner was our most successful evening to date in many ways. More than half of the guests were new to us — either new H100 members or those interested in learning more about Hillsides and H100. We raised more than $4,000 for the girls and boys satellite homes’ summer activities.”
Danz also introduced the H100 board, which includes Jennifer Brian, vice president and treasurer; Annie Brose, teen satellite homes liaison; Lauralyn Deringer and Ava Herrera, social co-chairs; David Hitchcock, membership chair; and Kristin Thorell, communications chair. The H100 founders are Scott Steuber and Jeff Welch.
Danz also introduced and thanked the Farm to Table Committee, which consisted of board members Deringer and Herrera, Leticia Medina, and Nicola Wilkins-Miller, for their hard work.
After dinner, Hillsides Director of Group Homes Ramona McGee spoke about Hillsides teen residential homes, which provide a safe and stable environment for teens in the foster care system or who face emotional or behavioral challenges.
McGee then introduced a former resident of the homes and the teen’s mother. The mother explained that her daughter was “drowning” emotionally without the will to live before coming to live at Hillsides as a young teen. At Hillsides, the staff helped her overcome her difficulties and feel hope and joy again. “It took a team to do what my daughter needed done,” said the mother. “I will be forever grateful for that. It was the absolute best thing for our family.” Her daughter agreed, stating that without Hillsides, “I would be dead, in jail or in the streets.” Now 17, she recently graduated from high school and will attend college in August.
After the program, guests donated toward specific wishes of the teens in the homes, such as bicycles and summer field trips.
Sponsors of the event included Nadine and Tony Danz, Armen and Katherine Panossian, Rob and Emilie Hoyt, Kristin and Keith Thorell, Annie Brose and Chris Anzalone, April Danz and Kelly Johnson, Lauralyn Deringer, Ava and Ed Herrera, Matthew and Kim Bickell, Jimmy and Jennifer Garcia, Edward and Noelle Aloe, Don and Sally Clark, Elizabeth M. Short and Michael A. Friedman, and Rachel and Scott Steuber.
Hillsides, headquartered in Pasadena, is dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and families throughout our county. H100 is one of three Hillsides volunteer support groups.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.