Camarillo baker creates 100-pound cake for Casa Pacifica
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival, the owners of Bread Basket Cake Co. are creating a gigantic cake that will weigh about 100 pounds when it’s showcased during the nonprofit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
The Camarillo-based company, co-owned by Paul Delagnes and his husband, Gilbert, is the longest-running supporter of the annual festival, which will take place this year on June 3.
“We’ve been involved since the beginning,” said Paul Delagnes, of Camarillo, who has been donating truffles and other treats to the festival for the past 25 years.
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“We love what they do,” Paul Delagnes said. “If we can give back a little bit by donating truffles and our goodies, we love doing that.”
The cake will be unveiled the Friday night before the festival during the sold-out Yummie Top Chef Dinner at CSU Channel Islands. On Sunday, during the festival from 1-5 p.m., the cake will be on display for photos.
“I want to make sure that it’s very present, like a showpiece,” said Paul Delagnes, who relied on his imagination for the overall design, which features a blue sky as the base, numerous oak trees and children of all nationalities. A special touch on the cake is a miniature Archie the Newfoundland, Casa Pacifica’s late therapy canine.
“The children are all colors and sizes because that’s what it’s all about — we’re all one,” he said.
Decorations are made from chocolate fondant from Switzerland.
In addition to donating the cake, the Delagneses are donating truffles, cake bites and cream puffs to this year’s festival.
Joining the Bread Basket will be more than 75 restaurants and caterers, plus more than 150 wine, brew and beverage vendors, said Carrie Hughes, director of development and public relations at Casa Pacifica. They’ll bring samples for at least 1,500 people at their own cost, and they’re donating the time of their employees, Hughes noted.
Live entertainment will include Benise’s Band of Gypsies and Wes Quave, and Living Vines will be strolling through the festival grounds.
Hughes said an important highlight of the festival, though not readily apparent to the thousands of guests who attend, is the planning, collaboration and execution of the event that’s managed by hundreds of volunteers, through the direction and guidance of Casa Pacifica’s development department and the Angels Auxiliary group.
Volunteers from the National Charity League and other groups help set up and take down all the tents, tables and chairs, and also pick up trash.
“That is something truly special about the festival,” Hughes said. “This collaborative effort is the real story of the festival, which would not be possible without them.”
All proceeds from the festival are used to support Casa Pacifica’s programs and services, Hughes said.
“We hope to net more than $575,000 from the festival this year,” she said. “While this sounds like a huge amount of funding alone, it’s only about 18 percent of the $3.2 million Casa Pacifica must raise this year to fill the gap between the costs of our programs and services …and what revenue is raised through government contracts and our fee-for-service programs.”
Another important aspect to the festival is building awareness of Casa Pacifica.
“People are introduced to Casa Pacifica at this great, fun-filled community event,” Hughes said. “But then they become future volunteers, supporters, donors ... telling our story and spreading the word of Casa Pacifica to others, growing our circle of support even wider.”
If you go
What: 25th annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival
When: 1-5 p.m. June 3
Where: CSU Channel Islands, 1 University Drive, Camarillo
Tickets: $150 through June 1; $175 after; each guest will receive a festival bag, tray and glass upon entry; parking will be free
Information: www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com