Supper Club y Mas

SUPPER CLUB

Join us this Friday night at DIG Gardens Nursery for our 3rd dinner of the Season.  Loren, Austin and the Kids are cooking up a Korean Soul Food menu, have a look below.  I'm really looking forward to Austin'swheat-less chocolate torte with Chipotle Ganache... So get your ticket today, there are some seats left!  Click SUPPER CLUB TIX to reserve your seat at the table.  New this week, out of tremendous gratitude for your support - as we get this spaceship off the ground - we're giving away two (2) door prizes at every dinner!!  One lucky guest will take home a custom center piece made by the design, award winning team at DIG Gardens, and one guest will receive a ticket to next weeks dinner!  

If you can't make it this week, no worries, come back and eat with us another time.  Next Friday, October 28th, we'll be getting our Halloween on with aHARVEST MOON menu, special DIG design, and a costume contests!  Tickets to all our dinners are available on our website, menu's are posted a week to two in advance.  

WEEK UPDATE 

Busy week as usual at Lightfoot, classes, catering and wholesale moving right along.  We've had a couple interesting highlights this week that't we'd like to share.  First, Loren, Linda and I all were invited to Esalen in Big Sur for a farm-to-table dinner on their farm - honoring their graduating farm apprentices and a few key supporters.  The three of us got to be 'on the other side of the table' as guests, at what was one of the most magical dinners I've ever attended.  The food was straight from the farm and absolutely delicious, prepared and served with so much thoughtfulness.  The guests and honorees were simply lovely.  We are excited to report we are working on an Esalen + Lightfoot collaboration, that will hopefully involve ongoing weekend seminars on-site at Esalen for our students.  We'll be working  with Esalen staff to integrate their rich process for communication and whole-systems sustainability into the Lightfoot curriculum and protocols.  Needless to say, we are honored and thrilled and will be reporting out more news as the details take shape.  

Next thing to report this week, a great article in the Sentinel on Lightfoot! "Lightfoot's Charges Serve Up 'Soul Food' at DIG Gardens", by Gretchen Wegrich; a really nicely written piece Ms Wegrich, thank you!  

Lastly, we want to thank Mary Gaukel and the Delta Charter High School staff, for not only all that they do - but for inviting Lightfoot to the Your Future is Our Business YFIOB, luncheon this past Wednesday.  We sat in the Coconut Grove banquet hall room overlooking the beach and the wharf, it was a perfect Santa Cruz day.  The room was filled with educators, administrators, students and business people - all there to celebrate the good work being done by this important organization.  YFIOB is a 30yr old organization in town that links local teens with positive mentors and internships from the local business community via ROP programs and supplemental programs like Lightfoot.  We were once again honored, much like at Esalen, to be in the company of so many people passionate and  positively focused on solutions.  Thank you Delta!

 

WEEKLY PLUGS

So our weekly plugs are all kinda summed up in this picture circulating around Facebook.  This Fall, be part of the solution by keeping your dollars local and thoughtful. Lightfoot is part of a thriving local economy made up of many tenacious small businesses.  Support Lightfoot and other local businesses and organizations this year, as we support the people that help make Santa Cruz the diverse and interesting place it is.   Not to mention, there is known correlation between the health of any given community, and the percentage of local ownership in business and properties.  So think of Lightfoot this Fall and Winter season; our TIX make great gift ideas, Supper Clubs can be your company holiday party or birthday destination, and we are available for private catering.  Not to mention we have jams, chutneys and syrups for sale at our SUPPER CLUB dinners!    For those looking for an 'impact-giving' gift idea (think of it as carbon offsetting for your soul;)  we are able to receive 501(c)(3) donations  that can be directly applied to sponsoring a Lightfoot Student, or specific programming areas of your choice.    Contact, us anytime for more details  info@lightfootind.com.  


And now, what you've been waiting for, check out the Supper Club menu and get your tickets!

Faith and Curiosity, and Really Good Food.

It's two nights before our next Supper Club, and it would be great to say that the reservations are full, seats are filled to capacity at 60 guests, and it's smooth sailing.  But that is not the truth. The truth is, we are still a struggling start-up, woefully under funded and awaiting investors for our restaurant.  Reservations are not filled to capacity and worry plagues me at times as to how we will pay our purveyors, or staff and the endless stream of government and overhead expenses.  Still we carry on.  How is it that we can offer services to 20
 teens: yoga, sustainable agriculture, kitchen classes, product development and sustainable professional development - without a dime, a van or any assistance at all from the educational powers that be.  All of this takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and money.  Primarily, it has been faith in our kids, our product, our customers, our staff, our teachers and a handful of generous sponsors, that has kept us moving forward. Secondly, curiosity, in place of stress, as to how the next phase will unfold.   Of course we have some strategies in place, and PEOPLE working on things... but there nev seems to be enough time, staff or resource. Amazingly, however, the next step in Lightfoot's evolution is continually revealed and provided for. 

Why/how do I think this is possible.  Sometimes, when caught up in managing the day to day details, it's hard to see.  But when I stop in the middle of a busy week and have a look at the people, the dedication, the tenacity of our students to be something different than stereotypes dictate - I understand.  If you could follow me around all week, to five classes, different sites, the Supper Clubs, you'd see it too.  There is something much bigger going on here than what most people see at face value.  We are not just a vocational training program.  We are not just a culinary program.  We are change agents - each an every one of us involved.  We believe there is a better way for humans to work, learn, eat, balance, thrive; and we are willing to invest a lot of sweat and tears to make it to the next level.  Our students and our staff show up for themselves every day, and the hope that a generation of informed, thriving individuals can make some sort of difference in bringing balance to this world. It seems lofty I know, but that is what we are up to.  We are committed to sourcing locally and supporting small, organic farms.  We are committed to a values-driven mission statement that values the environment and people as much as profit. We are committed to seeing each student as a viable, thriving individual.  We are committed to paying livable wages and we are committed to whole-systems education.  Our students, in very short order, are committed to each other, the team and most importantly themselves.  

I won't walk you through the stories of each student, but suffice it to say they each face unique and steep challenges, that we as adults would have a hard time rising above.  And there is no silver bullet here, no piece of paper that says they are complete, no formula for success, no quick way to finish.  There is hard work, playfulness, and day by day commitment to follow a truth that says, I am worthy of being all that I came here to be - regardless of where I come from, what I've done so far, or what I am labeled as.  This translates into two hour yoga classes where sometimes all the student can do is stand and hold on to the wall.  Running from Delta class to catch busses to Lightfoot classes, only to be told by the bus driver the bus is full - waiting for another bus or walking or skateboarding up to five miles to make it to Lightoot.  Making it through shifts in the face of major personal tragedies and hardships. Attending five classes a week but having to wait to work Supper Clubs because there are not enough spots on the staff to take all the students.  Yet they keep showing up. 

Hopefully all of this will work, and we will one day have our own restaurant with plenty of shifts for a full Academy of 60 students as well as a core of full time professionals.  Hopefully one day we will have dialed in the business and educational protocol and are able to upscale nationally to offer our program to some of the 14 million or so at-risk teens in the nation. Hopefully, one day our nation will answer with integrity and thoughtfulness and resource - the question, 'Why do we educate kids".  Hopefully YOU will come join us for dinner, a good time and good food, and and tell your friends about Lightfoot so we can broaden our base of support.  Hopefully.  In the meantime I am thankful for everysingle person who has helped Lightfoot along the way. I maintain faith and curiosity as to how it will all unfold, and  I ask you to join us, and be part of the solution. 

 With Deep Appreciation,

Carmen

       

XX

End of Summer Lightfoot Update! Fall Supper Club Series, Academy Launch, read on...

 

Well the end of the summer is drawing near and we at Lightfoot are gearing up for a very busy and exciting Fall.  We can't wait for the mouth-watering start to our second year of  Supper Club Dinners featuring Lightfoot Chef Loren Ozaki, in the beautiful Dig Gardens Nursery. We are also SUPER excited to welcome 20 new student-apprentices into the Lightfoot Academy, whom we will get to have for three years!  The Academy is steeped in rich collaborations with new and founding businesses, and we continue to offer our our teens a curriculum rich in Rigor, Relevance and Relationship.  More on the Academy soon...

The summer hasn't been all planning however.  This July we took our first foray into the whole sale business and launched our own yummy line of gluten-free baked items. We are currently carrying a savory scone and a banana nut muffin; which have been selling out at all 3 Lulu’s Coffee Shop locations, as well as Coffee Cat in Scotts Valley, and the Capitola, Westside and Pacific Ave New Leaf Market locations.  Make sure to grab a scone or a muffin soon - we are proud to say THEY DON'T TASTE GLUTEN-FREE, THEY JUST TASTE GOOD. 

Now - Get ready to party! Starting Friday, September 30^th,  Lightfoot Supper Club and DIG Gardens will be the place to be.  Every Friday night we will be serving up the best in Central Coast Soul Food at an affordable price, served family style by our teen apprentices.  We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with DIG Gardens, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful backdrop for dinner!  But the wonderfulness doesn't stop there.  Dig is a premiere Urban Renewal Garden site and very much mission-aligned with Lightfoot.  Come early for dinner and spend some time checking out their truly unique and exotic plants, accessories, and books, as well as their full workshop and guest speaker schedule. 

 

Supper Club dates are listed on our website home page and linked directly to our reservations page.  Make sure to get your tickets early, as we often sell out!  While you are on the website don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about the Academy and Food.  And of course follow us on facebook and twitter for day to day juicy information, pictures and video.  

Lastly, as the Harvest and Holiday Season draws near, book your party dates early with Lightfoot - we offer full catering and event planning services.  We've catered some pretty amazing events of late and we'd be happy to share with you our reviews and services.  Keep in mind, when you hire Lightfoot you not only will be getting exceptional food, service and style - but you also get to feel good knowing your dollars are helping support local sustainable vocational training for teens.  

Well that's it for now, there's still much to do before the start of school.  As always, thank you for supporting Lightfoot and our teens, we could not do what we do if it weren't for you.   We look forward to seeing you at a Supper Club dinner this fall, and we hope your last days of summer are filled with good times, good food and good people.  

Much love and appreciation,

Carmen, Loren and the Lightfoot Team

Lightfoot Supper Club this Saturday April 30. Guest Chef, Loren Ozaki of Rib King!

LIGHTFOOT SUPPER CLUB

Alright, this is your official Supper Club invite for this coming week's dinner, April 30th at DIG Gardens, downtown Santa Cruz 420 Water St.  This week we have a VERY EXCITING collaboration to announce with Loren Ozaki, Founder and Owner of Santa Cruz' own Rib King, taking the reigns in our kitchen.  Loren has many years and many talents in the food industry, you may have tried some of his delicious down-home, comfort food at one of Santa Cruz's Farmer's Markets. A Sustainable Chef, Loren is also a SOUL FOOD aficionado - we are very excited to see him take the Lightfoot food concept of 'soul food for a new generation' and run with it.  As with each of our visiting chef's, Loren is eager to work with our teen apprentices.  His unique craftsmanship, experience, and professional integrity will no doubt provide a positive learning experience for our teens - and a delicious, ORGANIC, and regionally inspired SOUL FOOD MOUTH PARTY for all our guests.  See you at dinner on Saturday... 
 

  MENU, APRIL 30, 2011

Chef Loren Ozaki, Rib King

 *menu is all organic with wheat-free/vegetarian options*

Supper

Chicken Gumbo with Rice 

Shrimp 'n' Grit Cakes with Wilted Arugula Salad 

Mac 'n' Cheese with Roasted Asparagus 

Smoked Pork Shoulder over Cornbread Hash

Dessert

White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Beverages

Wine: Hillcrest Terrace Winery

Lightfoot Soda & Mock-tail Syrup flavors:  Citrus Ginger, Blueberry Orange, Pomegranate Lime, Blood Orange with Meyer Lemon.  (Syrups made by our teens in Product Development Class,  taught by Serendipity Saucy Spreads)

Verve Coffee

$30 for adults  $15 (ages 6-11)  $8 (kids under 6)

www.lightfootind.com    info@lightfootind.com

Lightfoot is a start-up social enterprise, and proceeds from our dinners go directly to the Lightfoot Academy.  A fully licensed catering company, we are available for private parties and events.  We are currently seeking both for-profit investors and non-profit grants, to secure our own restaurant & Academy site.  Please visit our website for more information. 

           

Thank you to our GENEROUS Pilot Program Sponsors:

Consulting Executive Chef, Kevin Koebel of Local FATT

Whole Foods, Santa Cruz

NextSpace, Santa Cruz

KUSP, Central Coast Public Radio

Bread for the Journey, Santa Cruz

Communication for Good

Village Yoga

Entreprelaw

Lightfoot Supper Club T-Shirt Contest!

Hey Lightfoot Students,

         My name is Star Huson. I’m a first year art major at UC Santa Cruz. This semester I became an intern for Lightfoot Industries. I’m really excited to be a part of this company and love all that it stands for.

I’ve met some of you at your Professional Development class, when we all heard artist Timerie Gordon speak! It was a truly inspiring, and especially rewarding to see your enthusiasm and hear your questions.

         We have a challenge for you! With the start of this semester’s Pilot Program, we need Lightfoot t-shirts for the new school year. Help us design the t-shirt! We will hold a t-shirt contest ONLY for Lightfoot students. It’s an opportunity for YOU to create the design that ends up on the Lightfoot Supper Club Series t-shirt!  Any design you’d like to put on a shirt, any picture or design that you think represents Lightfoot and the Supper Club.

  The winner will not only win their design on the front of the shirts, but they also win $100!

         Just recently, we received some exciting news. Jimbo Phillips, an amazing graphic designer and Santa Cruz local , (son of Jim Phillips who is best known for his “screaming hand” icon) has agreed to be a part of the t-shirt contest by helping determine a winner, and have a one on one workshop with the winner of the contest!

Submit your entries soon to: info@lightfootind.com.

The DEADLINE is Friday March 11th.

Have FUN designing,

Star

For more information you can contact me at: shuson@ucsc.edu