Top Chefs Stage Cooking Demonstrations at Great Park’s “Growing the Park” Community Celebration

June 30, 2011 – IRVINE, California – Learn how to take seasonal farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and turn them into inspiring yet healthy dishes at “Growing the Park,” the Great Park’s annual anniversary event, on Saturday, July 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The festival will feature free cooking demonstrations that will delight any palette. Learn how to create “Three Sister Turnovers,” “Savory Summer Vegetable Pie,” and “Apricot Blueberry Triangle Tarts,” from local, professionally—trained chefs using fruits and vegetables you can find at the weekly Sunday Great Park Farmers Market.

Three chefs who love to cook healthy organic food will lead four special cooking demonstrations throughout the afternoon. Chef Debbi Dubbs will show the secrets of making delicious “Three Sisters Turnovers” at 4:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Chef Linda Lewis Ebert and Chef Michell Bretall will share their favorite recipe for a one-of-a-kind “Savory Summer Vegetable Pie” at 5:15 p.m. Enjoy learning how to make succulent “Apricot Blueberry Triangle Tarts” at 6:00 p.m. Cooking demonstrations will take place in the Farm and Food Lab.

Chef Debbi Dubbs trained as a culinary artist at the Fetzer and Bonterra Vineyards. She has taught culinary classes for Williams Sonoma, Bloomingdale’s and Sur la Table.

Chef Linda Lewis Elbert trained in classical culinary tradition from the Laguna Culinary Arts Professional Chef Program. She trained as a raw food and vegan chef at the Living Light Culinary International Culinary Institute.

Chef Michell Bretall trained as both a professional chef and restaurant manager. He managed Sous Chef at Nicks Laguna Beach, a fast paced, high volume kitchen and is currently a co-owner and chef of The Basement Table; an organic, local and sustainable supper club, with Chef Linda Lewis Elbert.

“Growing the Park” is a day and evening of non-stop fun for all ages featuring air-show acts, sports activities, a petting zoo, cooking demonstrations and arts activities.

The anniversary celebration also marks the debut of two new Park developments – The Palm Court Arts Complex and the North Lawn sports field. The North Lawn and Palm Court Arts Complex are both part of the nearly $70 million Western Sector Park Development Plan, which will increase the size of the Park to more than 200 acres.

Growing the Park is Saturday, July 9, and the event is open from 3:00 to 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. There will be a special Great Park entrance for this event: Take Jeffrey Road exit from either the 5 or 405 Freeway and turn right on Trabuco.

Growing the Park features five themed areas for visitors to enjoy, each representing an aspect of the Great Park: The Back Forty, The Runway, Sky’s the Limit, Great Park Gallery, and The Outfield.

1. The Back Forty: Agriculture & Environment – Highlights agriculture history. The area includes a petting zoo, hands-on agricultural craft activities and cooking demonstrations.
2. Great Park Gallery: Arts & Culture – Showcases arts and culture in the new Palm Court Artists Village. The area includes art displays and exhibits, demonstrations, local performers, hands-on activities and community partner booths.
3. The Runway: Military & Aviation, Technology & the Future – Presents military history. Includes vintage aircraft and military vehicle displays, aerial entertainment and more.
4. The Outfield: Sports & Recreation – Features sports, health and wellness. It will Include sports and fitness play area, demonstrations and community partner booths.
5. Sky’s the Limit: – Represents the future of the Great Park. Includes Kids Rock playground, open play area and viewing area of aerial entertainment.

About the Great Park
The Orange County Great Park, with its 1,347-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $70 million development plan to expand the Park to more than 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including the initial components of the sports park, a 114-acre agricultural area, and an art and culture exhibition space. For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org

Press Contact:
Jenn Starnes
Public Information Officer
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-6574