The 45th Festival – friendly from the beginning and the practical plate with glass at the gate!
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Ethnic restaurants shined in the 45th Annual AbilityFirst Festival of Fall, Pasadena’s outdoor gourmet food and drink festival in the stunning gardens at the Historic Laurabelle A. Robinson House in Pasadena. Our highly recommended restaurant participants proved to be as worthy as the spectacular private estate venue. (//localfoodeater.com/if-you-know-gado-gado-krupuk-you-know-bone-kettle/ )(//localfoodeater.com/the-new-kitchen-dream-team-at-the-raymond-restaurant/ (//localfoodeater.com/roku-idg-create-new-concepts-for-dinela-july-13-july-27/
This year’s 45th Annual AbilityFirst Festival of Fall will be Hosted by Phaedra and Mark Ledbetter brought over 500 guests together for one exquisite evening featuring more than 25 top chefs, restaurants, cocktail bars, wineries and breweries, along with a special live culinary experience, live music and much more. The grounds were so expansive, it never felt over-crowded. The crowd lingered till dark.
The infinity pool behind the house to the west
The 45th Annual AbilityFirst Festival of Fall gourmet Restaurants and Desserts include Bone Kettle , Bristol Farms, Buca di Beppo, Bacchus’ Kitchen, Celestino Ristorante & Bar, El Cholo Café, Gale’s Restaurant, Green Street Restaurant, Hope Café & Catering, Julienne Fine Foods & Celebrations, Kensington Caterers, Mi Piace, NOOR, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Roy’s Restaurant, SuperCool Creamery, Sushi Roku, and Tam O’Shanter.
We loved seeing our old friends – and some new ones at the Pasadena branches such as El Cholo!
El Cholo’s signature, end-of-the-season green corn tamales with mole!
Mole you could drink that was drizzled over El Cholo’s signature, end-of-the-season green corn tamales
The “best Italian” -Celestino Ristorante serving
Celestino’s beautiful fall display
The lively, wonderful THE RAYMOND 1886- with the news of a new chef!
What a way to usher in the fall season!
Historic Tam O Shanter’s friendly crew
This year’s Beverages featured Cocktails and Spirit Tastings from (sponsor) Dulce Vida Tequila, Krafted Spirits, Mi Piace andThe Raymond 1886, along with specially curated Wines from Loring Wine Company, San Antonio Winery, Southern Glaziers Wine & Spirits, and The Estates Group. Golden Road Brewing will be pouring their California inspired craft beer, and Jones Coffee Roasters will be serving their globally sought and locally roasted coffee.
No one wanted to leave – Jones Coffee Roasters Coffee (delicious as espresso!) Nothing Bundt Cakes at the gate out kept guests happy until the end
Proceeds from the 45th Annual AbilityFirst Festival of Fall will directly benefit AbilityFirst. AbilityFirst provides a variety of programs designed to help people with disabilities achieve their full potential throughout their lives. AbilityFirst does this by creating targeted programming to help an individual successfully transition from childhood to adult life; providing employment preparation, training, and experience; building social connections and independence; and offering both their participants and their caregivers an opportunity to refresh and recharge through their recreational activities. AbilityFirst’s person-centered programs empower individuals to discover what is important to them in their lives, and to develop the skills that are important for them to achieve their goals.
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 