Taste Buds and SLO Film Fest Opening Night Dinner and a Movie

 Culinary Pioneer Inspires Mardi Gras Foodie Party at SLO Film Fest Opener

San Luis Obispo, CA—The best food always has a story. Sometimes it’s about the ingredients, a chef’s ingenuity or the memories created when shared with friends. Sometimes the story is so big it starts a movement and the food scene is forever changed.

Teri Bayus is a local food critic and culinary storyteller who visits chefs around the Central Coast on her TV show, Taste Buds and writes about their food in her weekly column: Dinner and a Movie (Tolosa Press). When she heard the SLO Film Fest opener, a documentary about Ella Brennan, the matriarch of a New Orleans restaurant empire, she decided an Opening Night foodie party was in order.

“This will be a foodie’s dream event! Chefs from restaurants around SLO County will be sharing their tasty culinary treats alongside amazing Central Coast wines and other libations. Café Musique will perform their eclectic, high-energy music from the stage. It’s guaranteed to be a festive atmosphere that celebrates Miss Ella and the generous spirit of New Orleans,” said Teri Bayus, event organizer.  

More than 35 local chefs, wineries and breweries are already on-board to share their favorite creations at this Mardi Gras themed tasting and viewing party Tuesday, March 14^th at 5:30 p.m. at Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo.

Admission includes: unlimited food and drink tastes, live music with Café Musique and viewing the new full-length documentary film:“ELLA BRENNAN: Commanding the Table” by Oscar® and Emmy® nominated director and producer, Leslie Iwerks.

A pioneer of the modern American food movement and recipient of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, “Miss Ella” groomed chefs such as Emeril Lagasse at her Commander’s Palace, helping to launch the celebrity chef phenomenon.

Leslie (director of this film and many others including The Pixar Story, Citizen Hearst, Recycled Life), will be in attendance with Ella Brennan’s daughter, Ti Martin and son, Alex Brennan who were recently named “2016 New Orleans Restaurateurs of the Year.” They are looking forward to talking about Commander’s Palace’s storied history.

Tickets for this all-inclusive evening are $50 or $40 for students and Film Society members. For tickets and list of participating restaurants and wineries: www.slofilmfest.org/opening-night-party-and-movie/www.slofilmfest.org/opening-night-party-and-movie/

Restaurants include: The Spoon Trade, Giuseppe’s, Chipwrecked, Papi’s Grill, Bunn Thai Bistro, The Cracked Crab, Efren’s Mexican Restaurant, Jeffery’s Catering, Apple Farm, Oki Momo Asian Grill, Vivant Fine Cheeses, Surfside Deli, Royal Baklava, and Bon Temps.

Libations by Talley, Opolo Vineyard, Kynsi Winery, Cass Winery, Timbre Wines, Puffers of Pismo, Amplify Wines, Field Recordings, Robin Bogue, Summerland Wine, Cambria Wine, The Central Roast and M Special Brewing Company.

Taste Buds episodes are shown on KSBY Ch. 6 Sundays at 3:30 p.m. and CW Ch. 7 Sundays at 11 a.m. And available 24/7 ON Demand at Charter, You Tube, Central Coast Now TV and Taste Buds Channel.