San Diego CA— Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, a garden and nutrition education center whose mission is to empower students and families to be healthy and active citizens through gardening, environmental stewardship and nutrition education, will host the 2018 Seedling Soirée on Saturday, May 5 at the Center’s historic 6.85-acre property in National City.

Held in the gardens, the special culinary feast features local chefs, vintners, and brewers with a unique menu showcasing the best of San Diego County’s organic and sustainably produced produce, fish, meats, and confections. The evening includes a cocktail hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a dinner from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to explore the gardens and learn about Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center’s programs, enjoy live music and fine cuisine, as well as a silent auction with food, wine, and other gifts. Television cook and cookbook author, Sam the Cooking Guy will emcee the event. Featured chefs include Joe Magnanelli of CUCINA urbana, Marguerite Grifka & the Olivewood Kitchenistas, Christina Ng of Chinitas Pies, Joe Pastry of Waters Fine Food & Catering and WooBar, Kevin Templeton of barleymash, The Smoking Gun, and Spill the Beans, Isabel Cruz of Isabel’s Cantina and 2015 MasterChef winner Claudia Sandoval.
“The funds raised at this amazing event each year go straight to our programs that help build healthy families and a healthy environment,” said Claire Groebner, Interim director of Olivewood Gardens. “We continue to plant the seeds of good health thanks to the support of all of our sponsors, volunteers and featured chefs.”
All proceeds from the event will support the garden, nutrition, and educational programs offered by Olivewood Gardens to children and adults throughout San Diego County. The programs provide children and families the tools to make healthy decisions for themselves and the environment, and empower them to advocate for health in their community.
The children’s program offers an experiential curriculum of ecological, nutrition and cooking lessons to build scientific literacy, environmental awareness, and adventurous eating. Students, parents, and teachers are encouraged to explore connections between plants and the natural world, as well as think about their food, where it comes from and how to prepare it in a healthy way. Cooking for Salud™, a bilingual parent nutrition education program, gives parents the tools to transform their kitchens into healthy food zones and empowers them to share about health with others through support from guest chef volunteers and instruction centered around food and nutrition.
The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Olivewood Gardens property located at 2525 N Ave., National City, CA 91950. Tickets are on sale starting at $50 per person with table sponsorship opportunities available. Guests can attend the cocktail hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a variety of garden-inspired craft cocktails and appetizers celebrating the spring harvest. Tickets to the culinary feast include the cocktail and appetizer hour as well as a garden family-style dinner served by the featured restaurants and chefs.
To learn more about Olivewood Gardens or the 2018 Seedling Soirée, please call 619-434-4281 or visit olivewoodgardens.org/seedling-soiree.