Overview

On May 5, 1986, our installation into the International Wine and Food Society was celebrated with dinner at Michael’s Waterside Inn. We had 41 members, and our honored guests included Mr. René Aponte, Chariman, North American Board of Governors, and his wife; Mr. Joseph P. Wilkerson, former Chairman, International Wine and Food Society, London; and Mr. John Ivenson, Chairman, London Branch.

This was also the 28^th meeting of the Santa Barbara Food and Wine Society, which preceded our affiliation with IWFS by 9 years. There were 38 members (men only), and our first meeting was June 28, 1977, at the Valley Club of Montecito. We planned up to four dinners each year, with wives invited for the Christmas Holiday black-tie event. We met at different venues, including an occasional dinner at a private home. Our leader was the late and very able Robert Vaillancourt, assisted by a seven-member Board of Directors. They purchased wines for our cellar, chose dinner sites, and acted as dinner and wine chairs. Drs. Al Medwid and Bill Hein are our remaining charter members.

The Santa Barbara Branch now regularly meets at La Cumbre Country Club, where Eric Widmer is the accomplished Executive Chef.