After a whirlwind three weeks of exploring interesting, off-the-beaten track attractions, shops and eateries, interviewing 13 local luminaries and raising $450 (enough to purchase 3150 meals) for the Santa Barbara County Food Bank at two live events, the RV Cooking Show wrapped filming on the Food, Fun and Friends at Flying Flags series.
“I can’t believe how much there is to see, do and taste in the Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Country,” remarked RV Cooking Show producer and host Evanne Schmarder. “With the help and direction of long-time Flying Flags RV Resort manager Dan Baumann and Buellton Visitor Bureau executive director Kathy Vreeland, we were able to fill our days and nights collecting a treasure trove of neat travel information that not only RVers will be excited to experience but those interested in the area will enjoy as well. In fact, the Gourmet Guests episode with Chef Giorgio of Trattoria Grappolo was filmed in a well-appointed park model cottage – perfect for travelers that want to enjoy a back-to-nature resort experience without having to bring an RV or tent.”
Guests were treated to two live event evenings on Friday and Saturday, April 29th and 30th. Resident tri-tip barbeque master, Richard Boucher, delivered a tri-tip cooking demonstration and took questions from the audience and Enjoy Cupcakes arrived with their restored vintage Shasta Travel Trailer, talked cupcakes and handed out 72 of their fabulous chocolate syrah specialties on Friday. Guests enjoyed a potluck dinner with friends new and old, made s’mores fireside and took in an alfresco movie on Saturday. Portions of these events will air in upcoming episodes.
During the live events sensational prizes donated by generous local merchants were raffled to several lucky winners. Flying Flags staff member and raffle-ticket-seller extraordinaire Terry Boucher, with assistance from the front desk staff, collected $450 – enough to allow the Santa Barbara County Food Bank to serve 3150 meals to those that might otherwise go hungry. Without the kindheartedness of the merchants and Flying Flags guests this would not have been possible. “No one should go hungry in this great country of ours. The outpouring of support for the food bank benefit touched my very soul. Thanks to the fine folks at the resort and in the valley 3150 hot, nutritious meals will feed the hungry,” added Schmarder, “and that makes a real difference in so many lives.”
“This has been a terrific experience – both the live portion of the RV Cooking Show/Flying Flags series and the fun we had filming it. All who participated are looking forward to watching the shows as they are released this summer. And I know that RVers everywhere will appreciate the upcoming showcase of our special slice of paradise,” said Baumann.
A complimentary e-cookbook containing recipes from the series is in the works. Subscribers to the Flying Flags e-newsletter and the RV Cooking Show e-updates will be notified as each episode of the Food, Fun and Friends at Flying Flags series is released as well as have access to the e-cookbook.
For more information about the upcoming Food, Fun & Friends at Flying Flags series contact Evanne Schmarder, RV Cooking Show, at evanne@RVCookingShow.com or 702-460-9863.