Symphony Dinner Delights

A dinner with a “farm to table” theme featuring many locally sourced foods prepared by noted chef Lee Burton was the star attraction of a recent spring evening hosted by Stephanie and Larry Jacinto in their beautiful Crafton Hills home. Dinner guests included Connie and Doug Welebir, Melissa and Richard Rouhe, Martha and Alfredo Rasi and Claudia and Bill Brunick. The dinner was just one of the many events offered as an auction item at last year’s Redlands Symphony Gala. This year’s event will once again feature specially prepared dinners at some of the area’s most prestigious and interesting private homes during both the silent and live auctions. The 2013 Redlands Symphony Gala and Dancing with the Stars Showcase will take place on Saturday, June 1, in Orton Center and in two large white tents on the campus of the University of Redlands. Cocktails and the silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner, the live auction and the dancing showcase set to start at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $125 per person or $150 per person with premium reserved seating for the dancing showcase. All proceeds from the Gala go to support the Symphony’s music education programs for children and the regular concert season. Gala tickets are available by calling the Symphony at 909-748-8018. More information is available at redlandssymphony.com/gala. Appetizers served to guests before dinner at the Jacinto dinner included bluefin tuna with a citrus sesame-wasabi glaze and organic micro greens on baked wontons. The tuna was caught in Mexico by Larry Jacinto. Citrus panko Jacinto Farms fried green tomatoes on white sweet potato chips with farm guacamole were also passed, along with Belgian endives stuffed with citrus marmalade and blue cheese, also from Jacinto Farm. Dinner was served on the outdoor terrace, where guests enjoyed herb-crusted grilled ono—also caught by host Larry Jacinto—with Redlands citrus beurre blanc. Purple Majesty potatoes and lemon green beans completed the entrée course. Dessert was a tangelo strawberry tart and lemon almond cookies prepared and donated by Brewcakes Bakery. Dinner sponsors included Jacinto Farms, Micah House– who provided volunteer servers through the University of Redlands—Brewcakes Bakery and Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals. This year’s Dancing with the Stars Showcase at the Redlands Symphony will include dance performances by Curtiss B. Allen, Sr., Betty Auton Beck, Roy Cencirulo, Pat Gilbreath and Marvin Hudson. The evening will also include the selection of the winner of a Kohler & Campbell Grand Piano that is being raffled as part of the celebration. Raffle tickets and more information about the piano can be obtained by calling the symphony office at 909-748-8018.