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December 2011 Rustico’s Chef Nabs Title in


SO-CAL Chef Open By Carol Malin


“We have always given it our best at this event


and this year was no different,” Chef Francesco Cusimano said. “It’s for a great cause, so it feels good to win and it looks like the kids won, too.” The 4th Annual SO-CAL Chef Open and the 9th annual Golf Classic at Pechanga raised $43,000 for Oak Grove, a residential treatment center for youth.


Talking about the Lobster Cheesy Mac dish


that earned him the SO-CAL title, Chef Francesco said that he learned that the key to success is to please peoples’ pallets. “You’ve got to give them what they want. This was a People’s Choice Award, after all. I love putting my twist on things. With our Lobster Cheesy Mac, we did just that. I combined a classic comfort food favorite and a medley of Ital- ian cheeses with luxurious lobster meat, added a great presentation and elevated an everyday offer- ing to a special occasion dish. Everyone loved it. If you missed the Chef Open, you can come try it at Rustico because it’s going on the menu.”


Chef Francesco Cusimano Winner of 2011 SO-CAL Chef Open


Francesco said that he owes the win to his mother because he learned so much


about cooking from her. “She always made the best dishes using the simplest ingre- dients. At my restaurant you will experience that my food has a traditional taste, a rustic Italian expression, and an artistic flair, and is always deliciousioso!”


He adds, “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those in the Temecu-


la-Murrieta Valley who have supported us and helped to make Rustico a well known name over the past seven years. We are looking forward to the holiday season. We are underway with Italian Holiday dishes and with the business of catering Christ- mas parties. While we are busy, we will always have time to come out of the kitchen to say ‘hi’ or shake your hand, because making friends and making our guests part of the Rustico family is what this is all about. Come visit us at our ristorante in Mur- rieta.”


In closing, Tammy Wilson, Chief Executive Officer for Oak Grove said, “I am


very grateful to Pechanga Resort & Casino for the beautiful venue and am deeply ap- preciative to all the participating chefs. We had nine chefs compete in the Open along with Jean Marie, the featured pastry chef from Pechanga. The chefs’ generosity in sharing their culinary skill, talent, vision and, most of all, their compassion for our kids and our cause is just phenomenal. We are very grateful. Thank you to each and every one of the 400 generous people who attended the Golf Tournament and Chef Open, and to all our supporters who helped to make this possible.”


Fashion Show Raises Needed Funds For Children’s Home


by Carol Malin The 2nd annual De Luz Women’s


Club fashion show raised $17,000 to help Rancho Damacitas, a home for abused children in Temecula, an- nounced club President Chris Close. The event was held October 15 at Wilson Creek Winery and featured a luncheon with wine, themed gift bas- ket drawings, plus pre-show and post- fashion show opportunities to shop at boutiques featuring select fashions and accessories.


“We are very pleased the fashion


show was a complete sell out, even in this tough economy. Thanks to the ef- forts of the members and volunteers. We look forward to producing a big- ger event next year,” Shelley Weier the club’s public relations coordinator told us.


“Over the years the De Luz Wom-


en’s Club has helped us to see that the needs of our special youth are met,” said Rancho Damacitas director Clif- ford Nunn. “I’m so appreciative.”


The ladies of the De Luz Women’s


Club made the hard work of putting on a fashion show and a fundraiser look like a breeze. It was a fun afternoon with smiles all around, from the audi- ence to the club members to the mod- els walking the runway, and friends and family members watching them strutting their stuff.


“When we are together, we always


enjoy ourselves,” said Chris Close, the DLWC president and event co-chair. “Raising funds for a worthwhile cause, such as this, is the icing on the cake.”


The Temecula Valley Master Chorale will present “Tis the Season” with instru-


mental accompaniment and guest performances by the Murrieta Mesa High School Choir on Sunday, December 11 at 4pm. The concert will be held at the Murrieta Mesa High School’s Gershwin Performing Arts Center, 24801 Monroe Avenue, Murrieta, CA. Tickets are $10 each or $25 per family. For more information call 951.704.5612 or visit: TemeculaValleyMasterChorale.org


The Chronicle


www.ChronicleMediaGroup.com


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