Santa Barbara is abuzz with anticipation over the 36th annual Taste of the Town culinary extravaganza to be held September 8 and September 10, 2017, to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Food and wine lovers are looking forward to two signature events. The Connoisseurs’ Circle Gala Dinner on Friday, September 8 from at Bacara Resort & Spa is a VIP tasting evening with appetizers, wine, beer and spirits followed by a 4-course gourmet dinner prepared by guest chef Mark Strausman from Freds at Barney New York paired with wines from 2017 Honorary Vintner Doug Margerum and Margerum Wine Company. A live and silent auction and dancing concludes this special gala.

Honored winemaker Doug Margerum

On Sunday, September 10 from Noon-3pm at Riviera Park overlooking the city, 80 of the area’s finest restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits providers will welcome ticket holders and sample their specialties. A silent auction of lifestyle items, photo booth, relaxation lounge and live jazz entertainment highlight this day of philanthropic culinary fun.

All proceeds from Taste of the Town support the programs and service of the Arthritis Foundation, the only non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of 53 million people (including 300,000 children) with arthritis through health education, advocacy, research and local juvenile arthritis support.

Tickets for the Connoisseurs Circle Gala Dinner are $500 per person with tables for 10 at $5,000. Individual tickets for the Sunday afternoon Taste of the Town are $125 per person in advance and $140 at the door (if available). Tickets are available at http://www.arthritis.org/tasteofthetownsb or by calling the Arthritis Foundation Central Coast office at (805) 563-4685.