The Sacramento Food & Film Festival is making its third annual appearance and goes all out with a seven-venue line up of food and film pairings. Spread over the course of 10 days from March 20-30, the festival delivers everything from food offerings by renowned local chefs and restaurants to beer tastings to celebrity Q&As to award-winning food-themed films and documentaries.
As if great food and great films aren’t enough, all proceeds from the festival go to the California Food Literacy Center. Founded in 2011 by Amber Stott, the local nonprofit works with local schools and nonprofits to create food education programs that teaches California kids about the food they eat and inspires them to develop healthy food habits.
“I believe in what [Amber] is doing,” said Catherine Enfield, festival founder and food writer. “I think it’s really important to educate children to eat healthier. We have to battle this obesity epidemic we have. She’s got a fantastic program and if I can help her make it statewide, I will.”
Enfield indicated that the festival evolved over the years from a one-day documentary event to a day/evening event with food pairings and now to a multiple venue, 10-day celebration of local foods carefully matched with documentaries, dramas, or family films.
“Food and movies are fun. Put them together and what could be better?” Enfield said.
The festival kicks off at Ten22 with specialty appetizers by Chef Jay Vegerre, awarding winning film Spinning Plates, and, for the first 150 guests, a high-end swag bag of olive oil, Chocolate Fish coffee, Bob’s Red Mill grains, gourmet vanilla beans and an issue of Edible Sacramento.
For more information and to view film descriptions, visit www.sacfoodfilmfest.com. Purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com.
Thursday, March 20, 5:30-8:30 pm – Opening Reception
Food: An appetizer menu based on seafood provided by Passmore Ranch and produce by Fresh Farm to You. Menu created especially by Chef Jay of Ten 22.
Film: Spinning Plates
Venue: Ten 22
Cost: $40
Saturday, March 22, 4-6 pm
Food: Ruhstaller Beer’s debut release of Nugget Ale, a local beer made with native hops from Dixon. Bites by renowned Sacramento Chef Adam Pechal and soft pretzels by Freeport Bakery.
Film: Beer Wars
Venue: Sterling Hotel
Cost: $20 (special price)
Tuesday, March 25 – 7 pm
Food: 4-course dinner including Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip, and film-based wine pairings (wine $10 additional).
Film: Bottle Shock
Venue: Lucca
Cost: $40
Wednesday, March 26 – 6:30 pm
Food: Popcorn and Silk Road soda ($1 ea.)
Film: Cafeteria Man with appearance and keynote address by Cafeteria Man himself, Tony Geraci.
Venue: The Guild Theater
Cost: FREE!
Friday, March 28 – 6 pm
Food: Family spaghetti dinner by Sellands
Film: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Venue: Clunie Center at McKinley Park
Cost: $25 adults, $15 kids, free age 2 & under (no seat)
Saturday, March 29 – 5 pm
Food: Popcorn and Silk Road soda ($1 ea.)
Film: The Slow Food Story
Venue: The Guild Theater
Cost: FREE!
Sunday, March 30 – 4-6 pm
Food: Sushi and Uni tasting with Bill Ngo from Kru
Film: Sweet, Sexy Ocean with Q&A by filmmaker Alexander Finden
Venue: Sunh Fish
Cost: $35
