Event Puts Food in the Bank

More than 40 Orange County restaurants and California wineries and breweries will participate in the eighth annual Food and Wine Tasting Gala to benefit Orange County’s Food Distribution Center tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Crystal Court mall in Costa Mesa.

For $30, guests may sample fare from restaurants such as Antonello, Bangkok Four, Diva, Gustaf Anders, Il Fornaio, Marrakesh, McCormick & Schmick, the Pavilion at the Four Seasons, Scott’s Seafood and Tutto Mare.

There also will be live jazz, a silent auction and a 25-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower made from 900 cans of donated food.

Speaking of which, cans of food can be donated at the door, so bring whatever you can carry. The food center, a nonprofit food bank, serves more than 230 charities in the county. The money from last year’s center benefit bought more 1 million meals.

Crystal Court is at 3333 Bear St.

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Rumors of an impending move were laid to rest recently when the Ritz entered another long-term lease agreement at 880 Newport Center in Newport Beach.