Festa Italiana Benefit for Healdsburg Jazz

The Healdsburg Jazz Festival has decided to cure the economic dog days of summer with a fundraising feast, and hold a party for 100 of their closest friends.  The menu features an array of traditional Italian dishes, many derived from family recipes, from diverse regions of the Old Country. They call it a Festa Italiana, featuring the "Hidden Chefs of Healdsburg" - non-professionals whose home-kitchen artistry rises to professional standards.

The 15 local participating chefs, whose home-kitchen artistry is held to the high standards of Healdsburg restaurants, are Mary Ann Bridenbaugh, EJ Neil,  Elisa Musson,  Cynthia Iverson, Jon Iverson, Tricia Coxhead,  Jack Anderson,  David Stare,  Judy Edmonds,  Ann Marie Montecuollo,  Theresa Brooks,  William Anderson,  Lia Huber,  Mary Ann Bridenbaugh,  Frank Carruba and Emmy Cleland.

Their dishes truly cover the map of Italy, with regional specialties from Sicily, Piedmonte, Liguria, Veneto, Tuscany and more, from antipasti to dolci. Each chef will serve and in many cases prepare from his or her station, sharing their stories and techniques with diners. Each guest will receive a book of recipes at the event, so here's a chance to get the sauce-stains along with the signatures of the chefs. There's a complete menu online.

Guests will dine al fresco at long communal tables where carafes of fine Sonoma County Italian varietals will provide perfect accompaniments to the food.

Themed music will be provided by The Billy Packard Trio, whose diverse repertoire includes Italian polkas and waltzes, plus other Latin rhythms. The location will be the a private Beaterra property just outside of Healdsburg with bucolic views reminiscent of the gently rolling hills of Tuscany. (Address given with this listing is HJF offices.)

The event is limited to 100 guests, and of the $125 ticket price, $75 is a tax-deductible contribution to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Tickets are available through the Healdsburg Jazz Festival office (707) 433-4633 or online at www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org.