The community is invited to celebrate International Vegetarian Day at the 5th annual Compassionate Cuisine, Friday, Oct. 1, from 7pm to 11pm at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd. All proceeds benefit Animal Acres farmed animal sanctuary to support its animal care and public education programs.
Attendees may stroll the illuminated Japanese Garden as they sample gourmet vegan food from a wide array of local restaurants and foodservice companies, including Long Beach-based Whole Foods, Zephyr, and Viento y Agua. New to the event this year is Seabirds vegan street food truck.
Guests will be able to meet: Lorri Houston, founder of Animal Acres Sanctuary, who has been honored as a Lifetime Television Network “Remarkable Woman;” Tanya Petrovna, founder and chef of the popular chain Native Foods and author of The Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook; and Sarah Taylor, founder of the company The Vegan Next Door and author of Vegan in 30 Days, which provides step-by-step, practical advice on how to go vegan.
Live music will be performed by Makena and jazz-influenced pianist Scott Sorrentino, who donates a portion of every gig to animal causes.
“Compassionate Cuisine is a delicious and fun event for people of all ages and provides food for our farmed animal friends, too,” said Houston. “It raises badly needed funding for our rescue and refuge efforts, so we can keep our doors open for many more suffering farmed animals who desperately need sanctuary.” Â
Melissa Witul, a local community activist and business owner, is the Compassionate Cuisine chairperson. “We are so grateful to the generous food and beverage companies that make this fun and informative event possible,” she said. “Some of our vendors have been with us since the first Compassionate Cuisine four years ago, and more come on board every year, offering attendees the opportunity to sample the diverse array of wonderful vegan food available in the Long Beach area. Not surprisingly, attendance at this event grows significantly every year, and our new location at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden will allow Compassionate Cuisine to continue to grow and introduce many more people to the great work being done at Animal Acres.”
 Admission is a $35 donation online at compassionatecuisine.net or $45 at the door.
More Information
animalacres.org
