Presented by Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation
Taste of Local Festival
Ventura County’s Premiere Food, Wine and Brew Event
Sunday, September 11, 2022 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Ventura County Credit Union Corporate Office – Ventura, CA
The Taste of Local Festival
Connecting Our Community from Farm to Fork
More Food!
More Fun!
More Local than Ever!
An exciting new location this year!
What better way to learn about local food
than to experience it firsthand ?
We invite you to partake in the 4th Annual Taste of Local Festival presented by the farm-to-fork experts, Totally Local VC.
The Taste of Local Festival is about bringing together our local farmers, chefs, purveyors, wine makers and breweries with our community to celebrate our local harvest and the diversity of great food we have right here in Ventura County.
Over 60 area chefs, farmers, purveyors, wineries, breweries and distilleries are expected to showcase their culinary expertise. This year, Taste of Local is being held at the lawn area of Ventura County Credit Union’s corporate office in Ventura.
PRICES. General admission: $75.00 per person in advance, $95.00 at the door; doors open at 1:00pm. VIP admission: $125.00 in advance only; comes with early admittance at 12:00 pm, a signature welcome cocktail from Barrelhouse 101, an event swag bag, a boxed locally-sourced taste sampler, and more. Tickets are available in advance online. See the ticket section below. Tickets are non-refundable. This is a 21 and older event. Last pour at 4:30 pm.
WHAT CAN I BRING? Feel free to bring bring outside food, non-alcoholic drinks, chairs and blankets. We encourage you to bring your own water in a refillable water bottle to help us reduce water waste.
Culligan Hydration Stations will be on site for you to refill your water bottles. However, we cannot guarantee water for everyone. So bring your water!
And, don’t forget your checklist of the exhibitors and fun events you want to see at the Festival!
MORE DETAILS. Check out the RULES and INFORMATION: The Fine Print section below.
Two ways to buy your tickets
General admission: $75.00, doors open at 1:00 pm
VIP admission: $125.00, early admittance at 12:00 pm, a signature welcome cocktail, an event swag bag, a boxed taste sampler, and more.
Tickets are non-refundable. All food and samples are included in the admission price. This is a 21 and older event. Last pour at 4:30 pm.
General admission: $95.00, doors open at 1:00 pm
Please note: There is a very high likelihood that the event will sell out prior to the event date. There may be no tickets available at the door.
VIP admission: Not available at the door.
Tickets are non-refundable. All food and samples are included in the admission price. This is a 21 and older event. Last pour at 4:30 pm.
- ONLINE
-
General admission: $75.00, doors open at 1:00 pm
VIP admission: $125.00, early admittance at 12:00 pm, a signature welcome cocktail, an event swag bag, a boxed taste sampler, and more.
Tickets are non-refundable. All food and samples are included in the admission price. This is a 21 and older event. Last pour at 4:30 pm.
- AT THE DOOR
-
General admission: $95.00, doors open at 1:00 pm
Please note: There is a very high likelihood that the event will sell out prior to the event date. There may be no tickets available at the door.
VIP admission: Not available at the door.
Tickets are non-refundable. All food and samples are included in the admission price. This is a 21 and older event. Last pour at 4:30 pm.
Taste of Local Happenings
Meet the Chefs, Taste their Cuisine
Ventura County is known as one of the top agricultural producing areas in the world. And this means that we’ve got one of the best cuisine scenes that California has to offer. Locally-grown, locally-produced and locally-owned are some of the key ingredients at the Taste of Local Festival.
The theme of this year’s event is We are Different: Rich soil, Mediterranean climates, innovative farmers and diverse crops – we’ve got it all! Ventura County agriculture helps to feed our community and the world.
Guests have the opportunity to meet and chat with the chefs, farmers and purveyors and learn from these field-to-fork specialists about the bounty that is Ventura County.
Stop by the dozens of booths and taste all the delicious samples from our locally-owned restaurants and purveyors. Be sure to check out the locally-grown, build-your-own strawberry short cake bar, sponsored by the California Strawberry Commission, And, quench your thirst at the Limoneira lemonade stands.
Over 60 area chefs, farmers, purveyors, wineries, breweries and distilleries are expected to showcase their culinary expertise during the Taste of Local Festival.
Experience it firsthand!
Great Local Music
Studies show that sound can not only can set a mood but that it also can influence the way we taste food and drink! Often dramatically. Totally Local VC understands this. So, it is only natural that we make sure to always partner with local musicians for each of our events.
This year’s lineup of local musicians playing throughout the Taste of Local Festival include:
- Dan Grimm,
- The Rose Valley Thorns, and
- Spencer the Gardener.
Educational Classes
Don’t miss these classes hosted by some of very own local experts! This year’s educational classes include Homebrew 101, The Art of Cake Building, From Bean to Cup and more. The class schedules can be found in the Festival Schedule section below. Attend the Homebrew 101 class and get into the event early!
Local Homebrew Challenge
Once again, Totally Local VC is partnering with Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE) to present The Homebrew Challenge.
Local homebrew masters will compete for the title of Taste of Local’s Homebrew Grand Champion as voted by both Professional Judges and guests at the Taste of Local Festival. The top two contestants receives awards and lots of great local prizes.
Come and learn about the process of making beer as you talk directly to the brewers, taste their wares and cast your vote to help us determine our county’s best home brewers.
Are you a home brewer from the 805? Think you’ve got what it takes to compete in next year’s Homebrew Challenge 2023?
Well then, let us know that you would like to compete in next year’s Homebrew Challenge 2023! Send us an email with your information and we’ll get back to you. Click the button below and we’ll even start your email for you!
Farm-to-Glass Mixology Throwdown
Don’t just eat your fruits and veggies. Drink them!
This year’s 4th-annual Taste of Local Festival brings a whole new twist. Ventura County bartenders will craft drinks from locally-produced and grown ingredients and hand-crafted spirits by Ventura Spirits as they compete to create Ventura County’s first signature cocktail named The 22Venturan!
Festival attendees will sip (sample size) cocktails made from local farm-fresh ingredients and cast their votes for their favorite drinks. Professional Judges will also sample the competitors’ entries and cast their votes.
The winner will not only receive prizes but also some serious bragging rights as this year’s Totally Local Mixologist of the Year. The winning cocktail, dubbed The 22Venturan, will be featured in bars and restaurants throughout Ventura County.
Are you a local bartender/mixologist working for a Ventura County bar or restaurant? Want to compete in next year’s Mixology Throwdown 2023?
Well then, let us know that you would like to compete in next year’s Mixology Throwdown 2023! Send us an email with your information and we’ll get back to you. Click the button below and we’ll even start your email for you!
All This and Giving Back, Too
Proceeds from the Taste of Local Festival will benefit the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation.
Over the past decade, Totally Local VC has worked as an advisor for agriculture and culinary arts programs at both high school and college levels. Together with area chefs and farmers, we have laid the foundation to empower students in taking the next step in their journeys to achieve their educational and professional goals.
In order to grow and continuously raise the bar on our academic initiatives, we formed the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation. We depend on the support from community members like you through funds raised from donations, sponsorships and events. With this support, we can expand our programs that prepare students for successful careers in agriculture, food science and the culinary arts. Your contribution is helping to build the agricultural leaders and chefs of tomorrow.
Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Volunteers Needed
Be part of our crew
The Dinner Series, Taste of Local, Cheers for Charity, Ag Week and more all need volunteers like you to help us at these events.
If you would like to help, please fill out and submit the Volunteer Registration Form accessed by clicking the button below.
Interested in becoming an Exhibitor at next year’s Taste of Local Festival 2023?
Well then, let us know that you would like to participate as an exhibitor at next year’s Taste of Local Festival 2023!
Send us an email with your information and we’ll get back to you. Click the button and we’ll even start your email for you!
Some of This Year’s Exhibitors
Over 60 area chefs, farmers, purveyors, wineries, breweries and distilleries are expected to showcase their culinary expertise.
Check out the partial list of the exhibitors at this year’s Taste of Local Festival below!
Aloha Steakhouse
Balcom Canyon Cider
Barrelhouse 101
Big Mann BBQ
Blue Ridge Honey Co.
Caffrodite Community Coll.
California Avocado Comm.
California Strawberry Comm.
Camarillo Barrel Works
Cantara Cellars
The Canteen By Cammarano’s
Clos des Amis
Coastal Products
Copa Cubana
Decker Kitchen
Enegren Brewing Co.
Farm Bureau of Ventura Cty.
Farm Fresh to You
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Flat Fish Brewing Co.
Fluid State Beer Garden
Flying Embers
For Goodness Cakes
Four Brix Winery
Just Bead It
Leashless Brewing
Limoneira Co.
Lucas Sellers Wine
MadeWest Brewing Co.
Malibu Brewing Co.
My Sage Gourmet
Oak & Iron
Ojai Beverage Co.
Pier City Cider
Pierano’s Market and Deli
Plan B Wine Cellars
Port of Hueneme
Poseidon Brewing Co.
Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters
Rincon Brewery
Sespe Creek Woodworks
SLATE Bisrro & Craft Bar
SpiceTopia
Strey Cellars Winery
Summerland Winery
Systems Paving
Tarantula Hill Brewing Co.
Topa Topa Brewing Co.
Totally Local VC
Vasquez Float Reiki
VenTiki
Ventura Coast Brewing Co.
Ventura County Fire Dept.
Ventura Food Co-op
Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE)
Ventura Spirits
Water’s Edge Restaurant & Bar
Winchesters Grill & Saloon
The Wine Rack
Festival Schedule
Take a look at the schedule of great events happening throughout the day!
HOST: Totally Local VC
As a VIP ticket holder, you are admitted one hour earlier than General Admission ticket holders, and will receive a signature welcome cocktail from Barrelhouse 101, an event swag bag, a boxed locally-sourced taste sampler, and more.
Wander around the beautiful grounds at the Ventura County Credit Union Corporate Office, sample the food and drink from our local chefs, purveyors, wineries, breweries, distilleries and other ag-related businesses. Taste the best local home brews and cocktails at the Hombrew Challenge and Mixology Throwdown and vote for your favorites. And, just have a great time!
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages will stop being poured at 4:30 PM, in compliance with our use permit.
HOST: Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE)
PRESENTER: Andy Carter, President of the California Homebrewers Association
You already love craft beer, but do you know you can make it at home? Come to the Homebrew 101 class to find out how! We will go over the basics of home brewing and even have a few examples for you to taste. Attend this class and get in 15 minutes early to the Taste of Local Festival.
 |
Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE) vibebeer@gmail.com https://www.vibebeer.com/ |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Dan Grimm |
| 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | The Rose Valley Thorns |
| 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Spencer the Gardener |
HOST: Totally Local VC
Wander around the beautiful grounds at the Ventura County Credit Union Corporate Office, sample the food and drink from our local chefs, purveyors, wineries, breweries, distilleries and other ag-related businesses. Taste the best local home brews and cocktails at the Hombrew Challenge and Mixology Throwdown and vote for your favorites. And, just have a great time!
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages will stop being poured at 4:30 PM, in compliance with our use permit.
HOST: Sweet Arleen’s
PRESENTER: Chef Julia San Bartolome, Owner of Sweet Arleen’s
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how to build, fill, ice and decorate a tiered cake. We will start from scratch with the basics and get down to the fine details of what makes our custom cakes special.
Bring questions for the 3-time Cupcake Wars winner’s and laugh along while we invite the audience to take a try at our classic cupcake swirl. There will be tastings at the end of the class.
 |
Sweet Arleen’s 960 S Westlake Blvd #4 Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 373-7373 info@sweetarleens.com https://sweetarleens.com/ |
HOSTS: Totally Local VC and Ventura Independent Beer Enthusiasts (VIBE)
Join us for the fun as local brew masters compete for the title of Taste of Local’s Homebrew Grand Champion as voted by guests at the Taste of Local Festival and Professional Judges. You will learn about the process of making beer, talk directly to the brewers, taste their wares and cast your votes to help us determine our county’s best home brewers. The top two vote-getters will receive awards and lots of great local prizes. YOU WILL LOVE IT!
HOST: Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters
PRESENTER: Shawn Pritchett, Co-owner of Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters
 |
Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters 111 N Reino Rd Newbury Park, CA 91320 (805) 373-7373 hello@ragamuffinroasters.com https://ragamuffinroasters.com/ |
HOST: Totally Local VC
Join us for the fun as local Ventura County bartenders will craft drinks that fuse the flavors of locally produced and grown ingredients with hand-crafted spirits by Ventura Spirits. Guests and will sip cocktails and vote for their favorite cocktail to help determine the winners.
The winning cocktail will be crowned The Venturan and be offered at selected bars/restaurants throughout Ventura County and be featured at other Totally Local VC and Visitors Bureau events.
HOST: Totally Local VC
You tasted the many brews presented at The Homebrew Challenge. You sipped the special cocktails blended at The Mixology Throwdown. You cast your votes for which ones you thought were the best. We counted your votes, combined them with the votes from the Professional Judges, and now the results are in. The winners have been determined. So, now we present awards to the top brewmaster and mixologist.
A big thank you to Edible Ojai & Ventura County for sponsoring the Taste of Local Festival Education Tent.
Join us for the fun!
Support Ventura County Agriculture
DONATE NOW to the
Totally Local VC
Agricultural Education Foundation
Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Venue
Ventura County Credit Union Corporate Office
This year’s Taste of Local Festival will take place on the beautiful, sprawling front lawn of the Ventura County Credit Union corporate office with its magnificent 180 degree view of the ocean and the Channel Islands.
Since 1950, Ventura County Credit Union has been helping members reach their financial goals by offering valuable banking solutions including checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, credit cards, business loans, wealth management services and more.
Interested in becoming a Sponsor of next year’s Taste of Local Festival 2023?
Our Sponsors
Please show some love to the Sponsors that helped make this year’s Taste of Local Festival possible.
Photos from Past Festivals
- This is a 21 and older event. You must show ID at the door.
- Tickets non-refundable. All sales at the event are final.
- The event will happen rain or shine. We will only cancel the event if required to do so by the county or state laws due to COVID-19 restrictions or if there is severe weather or a fire threat forecasted.
- Parking is first come, first served. Additional street parking can be found around the event site.
- All patrons must pass through security before entering the event. All bags will be searched for outside alcoholic beverages.
- No outside food or drink is allowed in the event, except for unopened water bottles in new, sealed, clear plastic containers. There will be water stations at the event.
- Sorry, no thermoses or other drinking containers are allowed. You may bring an empty container to fill at the water stations.
- You may bring chairs and blankets.
- No pets or emotional support animals are allowed in the event.
- Service dogs are allowed if accompanied by their owner and must be always on a leash. If the owner cannot control their service dog, we will ask them to exit the event. The safety of our patrons is most important to us.
- No knives, firearms or weapons of any kind are allowed. You are subject to search. You will be asked to leave the premises if any firearms or weapons are found on your person and law enforcement will be called.
- No smoking or vaping is allowed.
- No drugs or drug paraphernalia are allowed in the event.
- No large shade umbrellas, pop-up tents, or E-Z Up canopies are allowed.
- Never remove your wristband during the event. Vendors will not serve you without a wristband.
- Please drink responsibly. Have a designated driver to take you home or plan to use a rideshare service, hired driver or shuttle for transportation.
- You must finish consuming your alcoholic beverage before exiting the event area. No open alcoholic beverage containers are allowed to be removed from the event site.
- Please do not harass any alcoholic beverage vendor for a larger pour. Remember, this is a tasting event with appropriately-sized pours provided.
- By attending the event, you accept that pictures or video may be taken of you and used for advertising purposes.
- If you arrive later to the event, we cannot guarantee that all the food vendors, wineries or breweries will still have beverages available for you to sample. We suggest you arrive closer to the start of the event.
- All vehicles must be removed in the event parking area by 8pm on the day of the event.
- If you are not feeling well and/or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. Do not come to the event.
- The dress code is casual. No clothing with profanity or offensive messages. We ask that you not wear overly revealing clothing.
- Our wonderful California weather is always changing and we suggest bringing a hat, sun screen and something for warmth in case that coastal fog rolls in.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended. The event location is grassy and fairly level in most areas but the ground can be uneven so please watch your step.
About the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation
Totally Local VC is a collaborative initiative focused on promoting the importance and success of our local agriculture and business community. We are dedicated to educating our youth and community members on the important role that agriculture plays in the success of not only our county but also the world and the many links each of has to agriculture. Simply put we educate from field to fork and field to career.
Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
