Overview

HISTORY

In June of 1954, four gentlemen gathered at the Stuft Shirt Restaurant at 1000 East Green Street in Pasadena to discuss the organization of the "Wine & Food Society of Pasadena". In that a minimum of ten members was required to apply for a charter from the London-based Wine and Food Society, six additional gentlemen were recruited to become charter members.

Those ten founders included:
-     Mr. James D. Reynolds, Chairman
-     Dr. Ellis W. Jones, Vice Chairman
-     Mr. Harrison Chandler, Treasurer
-     Mr. Robert W. Cheesewright
-     Mr. Thomas E. Gibbon
-     Mr. Morris W. Mothershead
-     Mr. Sheldon Riley
-     Mr. William B. Stringfellow, Jr*
-     Mr. Emerson Spear
*Mr. Stringfellow resigned and was replaced by Mr. Robert Schlaudeman in July of 1954.

The minutes from that first meeting listed particular objectives of the new Society, specifically
•     "Good fellowship"
•     "Appreciation for good food and wine"
•     "Historical interest in gastronomy"
•     "Desire to try all types of cuisine and cellar"
•     "A series of dinners throughout the year incorporating the above"

Two months later, a second organizational meeting was held at the Stuft Shirt Restaurant. Each charter member was requested to invite a few good friends who enjoyed food, wine, and camaraderie to join the new Society. It was determined that there would be four annual dinners, a logo was designed , and annual dues of $50 per member were assessed. ($10 was allotted to each dinner, to include both food and wine). The minutes of the second meeting were closed by Mr. Goss, stating "the meeting was adjourned in a gentlemanly fashion, sans stagger." The first full membership dinner of the Wine and Food Society of Pasadena was held at The Piccadilly Restaurant in Pasadena on 9 November 1954. It was titled "An Italian Dinner accompanied by Inglenook Wines". Now, as we move along in the 21st century, the Pasadena Wine & Food Society anticipates many more opportunities for the best in wine, food and fellowship.