The UCSB Arts & Lectures annual fund-raising dinner event was a little different this year. In the past, luminary performers like Yo Yo Ma and Tony Bennet have been the bait to get donors to attend and pony up to support UCSB’s outreach programs. Well, how about having a bunch of the best local chefs and winemakers providing the consumables combined with Anthony Bourdain, arguably the most famous chef, author, world traveling commentator and TV star as the hook? All set in a beautiful spot in downtown Santa Barbara. Good idea! The courtyard of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum was transformed into a huge outdoor gourmet restaurant and as the attendees dug in to delicacies and fine wines, a very lively auction began, raising a good deal of dough for this worthy cause that brings top performing artists, authors, commentators and others to interact with the community on school campuses and other venues around town and the county. Mr. Bourdain, a gifted and often hilarious story teller, spent about an hour spinning tales, giving advice and answering some questions from the audience about cooking, traveling and eating. One of his most ardent points was about how to behave when eating in foreign places, to respect and honor local cuisine, mores and customs. Vegetarians who request a spinach salad and tourists who head for the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds came in for some serious scolding. After it was over, he spent another hour signing books and posing for photos with donors, staff and students. Quite a performance.
