While the cuisine, wine and cocktails presented by local chefs, vintners and mixologists at An Evening on the Beach Thursday, July 26th would have been more than delectable on their own, the fresh ocean air, Pacific sunset, a glowing beach bonfire and the soulful beats of the band High Rize created the perfect atmosphere for the masterful creations.

The event at the Jonathan Beach Club Santa Monica, a fundraiser presented by Audi to benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, is one of the favorite food and wine events to take place annually in Los Angeles.

Chef Kerry Simon – LA Market, Simon LA, and Simon at Palms Place (Las Vegas)

In 2010, An Evening on the Beach was created as part of the 28th annual American Wine and Food Festival, but since then, the affair has continued as a benefit for Meals on Wheels, an organization that produces and distributes daily over 4,700 wholesome meals to Los Angeles’ homebound elderly and vulnerable populations.

For more info: www.eveningonthebeach.com

David Alan Bernahl II, Diane Reiss, Linda Rosen

Nearly 600 guests wined and dined on specialty dishes created by chefs Sally Camacho of WP24, Jeff Ceriello of Farmshop Brentwood, Brendan Collins of Waterloo & City, Mark Gold of Eva Restaurant, vegan chef Leslie Durso, Michael Fiorelli of Mar’sel at Terranea Resort,  John-Carlos Kuramoto of Michael’s Restaurant, Joe Miller of Joe’s Restaurant, Kris Morningstar of Ray’s and Stark Bar, Dahlia Narvaez of Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza, Mark Peel and Christopher Eddy of Campanile, Paul Shoemaker of Savory, Kerry Simon and Nona Sivley of LA Market, and Mako Tanaka of Robata-Ya.

Special presentations served included the following:

Jacqueline Buchanan of Laura Chenel Chevre and Monique Korelishn of Urbani Truffles, who presented truffle butter, black truffles and white and black truffle oils.

Clark Staub of Full of Life Flatbread, who brought his beautiful ceramic brick oven.

Guests enjoyed Evian water and three signature summer-fresh cocktails designed exclusively for the event by Mixologist Giovanni Martinez from Sadie’s Kitchen and Lounge.

Additionally, attendees savored wines by Baker Lane Winery, Beckman Vineyards, Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Dierberg Vineyards, Domaine Serene, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Foxen Winery and Vineyard, Inception Wines, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Kalin Wines, Lioco Wines, Longboard Vineyards, Malibu Vineyards, Melville Vineyards & Winery, Star Lane Vineyards, Summerland Winery, Three Sticks Vineyards and Vines on the Marycrest.

Included in the Evening’s festivities was a special treat: a 77th-birthday celebration and cake for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels Director Sister Alice Marie Quinn. Barbara Lazaroff, co-founder of Spago Restaurant and loyal Meals on Wheels supporter, joined Sister onstage.

Chef Mark Gold, Eva Restaurant

Chef menus for An Evening on the Beach 2012:

Sally Camacho (WP24) served Push Pops – Passion Fruit Semi Freddo, Calamasi Vacherin, and Peach Melba Green Tea

Jeff Ceriello (Farmshop Brentwood) served Grilled Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip, McGrath Family Farm cherry tomatoes with heirloom beans, smoked jalapenos, and chimichurri and Vanilla Meringues with Lemon Curd and Fresh Peaches.

Brendan Collins (Waterloo & City) served Tuna Tartare with Avocado Mousse and Pickled Cucumbers.

Mark Gold (Eva Restaurant) served Grilled Wagyu Beef with Charred Onion.

Leslie Durso (vegan chef) served Watermelon & Watercress Spring Roll with Vegan Aji Sauce.

Michael Fiorelli (Mar’sel at Terranea Resort) served Michael’s Spicy Italian Sausage on a Homemade Brioche Bun served with Hand Cut Salt and Vinegar Chips.

John-Carlos Kuramoto (Michael’s Restaurant) served Grilled California Quail and Cucumber Feta Slaw with Tomato Basil Vinaigrette.

Joe Miller (Joe’s Restaurant) served Gazpacho and Suckling Pig and Farm Egg Paella with Shaved Fresh Urbani Black Truffles.

Kris Morningstar (Ray’s and Stark Bar) served Grilled Octopus with Burrata Cheese, Charred Lemon Vinaigrette, Oregano and Chile.

Dahlia Narvaez (Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza) served Butterscotch Budino with Rosemary and Pine Nut Biscotti.

Mark Peel and Christopher Eddy (Campanile) served Cedar Plank Grilled Skuna Bay Salmon with Fresh Urbani Truffle Creamed Corn.

Paul Shoemaker (Savory) served Wolfmother Burger – Grilled Rib-eye Beef on a Brioche Bun with Aioli, Arugula, Blue and Brie Cheese and Balsamic Shallot Compote.

Kerry Simon and Nona Sivley (LA Market and Simon LA and Simon at Palms Place Las Vegas) served New Orleans BBQ Shrimp on a bed of grits laced with Nona’s BBQ Sauce.

Mako Tanaka (Robata-Ya) served Jidori Chashu Chicken with Vegetables and Cold Ramen Noodles in a Sesame Pesto.

Clark Staub (Full of Life Flatbread) served Morro Bay Oyster Flatbread Pizza – Pacific Oysters, Leek Sauce, Smoked Mozzarella, Wild Arugula. and Lemon and Hemp & ’Shroom Flatbread Pizza – Organic Tomato Sauce, Wild Mushroom Conserva, Caramelized Onions and Happy Hemp Seeds.

Jacqueline Buchanan (Laura Chenel Chevre) served Lemon Chevre Cookie Bites and Cabecou, Melodie, and Tome chevre varieties.

Monique Korelishn (Urbani Truffles) served Penne Pasta with Urbani Truffle Thrills and White Truffle Butter Crostini.

Mixologist Giovanni Martinez (Sadie’s Kitchen and Lounge) served Guayabera – Watermelon Syrup, Lemongrass/Basil infused Tequila, Lime Juice and Soda, Green Beast – Cucumber, Absinthe, Lime and Sugar.

To see a list of all items that were in the auction and more, click here…