Bites at the Beach
The Second Annual Bite of the Beach will pair local restaurants with local breweries. Photo by Katie Osborn Photography
At most charity grazing events there is a disconnect between the beverages and food. You sample an offering from a restaurant and a winery based on proximity of their booths or random chance. Though excellent combinations are undoubtedly available, it’s your job to find them.
The Bite at the Beach, an event scheduled at the MBS Studios on May 16, is different. That’s not just because it is centered on food and beer rather than food and wine, but because the chefs and brewers collaborate on how best to showcase their respective crafts.
As James O’Callaghan explained, “We have paired breweries and restaurants and they’re coming up with combinations that will complement each other. We have 24 of each, so there will be that many unique pairings.”
O’Callaghan is President and CEO of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, which is running this event for the second year. The chamber is partnering with the LA Galaxy and StubHub foundations, both of whose goals is to get more young people involved in sports. The focus on sports may bring this event to the attention of people who don’t usually attend this type of event and the choice of beverage may do the same, O’Callaghan noted
“We definitely think that by pairing the food with beer we may reach out to a younger demographic, but we’re also doing this to recognize the growing craft brewing scene in the region.”
Asked about his own preferences, O’Callaghan admitted, “I am more of a wine and whisky guys. We will have a booth set up that will offer products from different wineries, plus we will have pairings from local wine shops.”
The event will be held on a studio lot at the MBS Media Campus in an area that has been used for TV and film shoots, so there will be a bit of tinseltown glamour. Among the restaurants that will be contributing are Darren’s, Doma Kitchen, Fishbar, Little Sister, Petros, Salt Creek Grille, and Rockn’Fish. Breweries include Abigaile and King Harbor, plus, from further afield, MacLeod Ale, Lagunitas and Coronado. None of the restaurants contacted were divulging their offerings or pairings at press time, and O’Callaghan said he didn’t know most of them himself, but said, “What I do know about is adventurous and exciting.”
Bite at the Beach is Saturday, May 16,, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. VIP ticket holders enter at 2 p.m.. General admission $75. VIP tickets $100. Reservations at ManhattanBeachChamber.com.