Taste of Aliso Niguel Draws 600

As the sun sank below the horizon, about 600 people sipped drinks and gobbled food Saturday at the fifth annual Taste of Aliso Niguel, a fundraiser for .

For $35 a ticket, visitors could sample fare from nearly two dozen restaurants, including Stadium Brewing Co., Rubio's and the new . About two-thirds of the ticket price was earmarked for school programs.

The event was held at what organizer EvaMarie Morris called the “plain ol’ parking garage” of the . Morris, president of Parents for Aliso Niguel, and a team of volunteers started planning the event in mid-July.

At various tables, groups ranging from boys' lacrosse to the high school marching band auctioned off hotel stays, wine baskets, photography sessions and other items. At one table, Linda Pearlman, whose daughter belongs to the pep squad, used pom-poms to promote a 50/50 raffle.  

On the food front, Edible Arrangements gave out 500 fruit samples and Stadium Brewing Co. served seared ahi. “We are a part of the community and we like to give back,” said Stadium Brewing Co. Chef Octavio Montoya. “It’s about sharing and giving.”

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified one of the restaurants as Stadium Brewery. The correct name is Stadium Brewing Co.