A little less than a year ago in this space I wrote about a great vacation getaway — Cambria, located on California’s Central Coast. My wife and I are headed back up there Thanksgiving weekend.
Larry Stewart
We had ideal weather there last November and are hoping for more of the same this year.
Another favorite getaway destination — one less than half as far away from Arcadia — is Ojai, or more specifically the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. It will always have a special place in our hearts because it is where our younger daughter Jill, a 1996 graduate of Arcadia High, and her husband Courtney got married. They’re second anniversary is coming up Nov. 17.
It turned out that the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, as many guests told us, was the perfect place for a wedding. I got a chance to return to the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa the other day, and boy did it bring back some fond memories. I had forgotten just how beautiful the place is.
As the senior contributing editor of Tee It Up Magazine, I was invited to attend a media event previewing the Celebrity Chef Classic, a two-day event featuring food, wine and golf that takes place at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Nov. 13-14. (Continue reading below flier… )
TG Todd's Pan-Fried Oysters
Media members were treated to a sampling of what will be served at the charity event, and although I don’t claim to be a food critic, I do know this much: It was delicious.
Jamie West, the executive chef at the Ojai Valley Inn and four other world-renowned chefs from throughout the country will provide the delicacies at the event which benefits two charities, Share Our Strength and Help of Ojai. Share Our Strength is a national organization that provides food to needy children. Help of Ojai helps seniors and families in the area.
The charity event begins on Friday, Nov. 13, with a welcome reception. On Saturday, Nov. 14, a continental breakfast will be followed at 10 a.m. by a golf tournament, which includes a gourmet lunch served on the course.
Pictured: Not Larry Stewart
At the recent media event, I was one of only two golfers there. Most of the media members were food critics who don’t play golf. The other golfer was a sportswriter from the Ventura County Star. The two of us got to play the course with Director of Golf Mark Geenslit. It’s a world-class course built and designed by George C. Thomas and Billy Bell in 1923. Thomas also designed the courses at Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles Country Club. The hills surrounding the course and the deer running across the fairways add to the beauty of the Ojai course.
The highlight of the upcoming two-day event is the gala dinner with wine pairing Saturday at 7:30. Packages, which include unlimited golf on Friday and Sunday, start at $1,450 per person. Yes, that’s a bit pricey. But, as they say, you get what you pay for. And considering the success of my daughter’s wedding, I certainly can vouch that that is the case at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.