The shining tops of the white tents were peeking over the fence at Culver Studios on May 4, 2025, but even more enticing were the aromas drifting out into the plaza. The Taste of Culver City, happening on the lawn, had a line of ticket holders stretching for several blocks, waiting to get in and sample the feast.
The Taste, a fundraiser for the Culver City Education Foundation, has been serving community support with a side of deliciousness for more than a decade. For the price of a ticket, fans of CCEF showed up in force for an afternoon of student entertainment and professional food from some of the city’s best restaurants. CCEF Executive Director Wendy Hamill reminded everyone “Our slogan is ‘good friends, great food, give back’. Please enjoy all the wonderful food, and remember we are here to raise funds for these remarkable programs for our students.”
The choices from appetizers to dessert ran the gamut; Dear John’s offered a crisp bowl of Cesar salad, Honey’s Kettle was on hand with their award-winning fried chicken, Simonette served savory sliders, and Jeni’s sampled three kinds of ice cream; dairy based vanilla Brambleberry Crisp, and Double (cookie) Dough, and a diary free vegan Lemon Bar with sharp, tart lemon notes in a coconut cream base.
Lodge Bread created an ‘off-menu’ special, serving arayes; a grilled pita stuffed with Wagyu beef, bone marrow, confit garlic, caramelized onions and tahini. The newly opened Bacari offered ‘street corn’; roasted corn kernels with feta, crema and hazelnut chili oil. Picallili offered a bowl of tang and crunch with a Thai green papaya salad, perfectly highlighted with fresh squeezed lime juice.
Baked Bar had a tower of buttery baked goods with croissants, cookies and muffins, Mayuri served some perfect pakora, and Hokey Pokey brought their unique New Zealand style soft serve with crushed toffee toppings
The entertainment was provided by the amazing talent from CCUSD; after an introduction by event Co-Chairs Darrel Menthe and Van Johnson, THEM KIDS, local sibling duo, did an original rap. The CCMS Chorus belted out “Dancing Through Life” with student-created choreography, Ballet Folklorico wheeled though Mexican dances (with talent both from the schools and the professional dancers) and the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts performed a number from this past year’s musical, “Grease.”
Also on hand throughout the event were the Bagel Bytes, CCHS own Robotics Team. They showed off a few of their creations, and reminded the crowd that they would be far less successful without the support from CCEF.
With CCUSD students singing and dancing, and a satisfying taste of so many local eateries, the sun never broke though the clouds, but it was an afternoon warmed by community connections.
Judith Martin-Straw