Global Goodies to Help the Food Center Make a World of Difference

More than 800 party-goers sampled foods from around the world at Passport to End Hunger, the 12th Annual Food Fair and Wine Tasting to benefit the Food Distribution Center.

South Coast Plaza’s Crystal Court in Costa Mesa served as an international food bazaar for the recent $35-per-person, all-you-can-eat dinner. The fair was expected to net more than $20,000 for the food bank, which distributes donated food in Orange County.

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A Worldly Feast

A jazz band, a silent auction, food stations from more than 30 local restaurants and booths that served wine, beer and other beverages took up all three levels of Crystal Court--which managed to stay open to shoppers for most of the night.

In lieu of passports, guests were issued small plates and wine glasses at a reception desk, then left to roam from station to station loading up on the international fare. Antonello Ristorante, Bangkok Four, Ferdussi, Gandhi, Il Fornaio and Royal Khyber were among the eclectic mix.

There was escargot from Rivera Restaurant, Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois chicken salad, turkey almond curry on Belgian endive from Garden Bistro, Spiga’s pizza bread and Fusilli Norma, fettuccine with smoked chicken from Piret’s and miniature fruit tarts and chocolate mousse cake from Antonello.

“People love this event because you can eat when you like,” said Kathleen Paone, event co-chairwoman. “You’re not sitting at a table all night.”

All gala leftovers were collected by food bank volunteers and distributed to the needy.

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Going to Bed Hungry

The Food Distribution Center, based in Orange, collects food--usually overstock from manufacturers, grocers and farmers and donations from community and corporate food drives--and distributes it to more than 280 charities in Orange County.

“Prior to the food bank, the food was just thrown into landfills,” said Dan Harney, center founder.

Since 1983, the center has distributed about 100 million pounds of food. About 16% of the county population--400,000 residents--is at risk of going hungry, Harney said. Of those, 42% are children.

“ ‘At risk’ means that if they don’t get help, they go to bed hungry sometime during the month,” he said.

Proceeds from the dinner will pay for about 700,000 meals.

Faces in the crowd included Phyllis Reed, event co-chairwoman; emcee Ed Arnold; Ron Blake, food bank director; Ward Munson; and John and Angela Stollsteimer.