A key fundraising event for the nonprofit association, in addition to a wine-paired dinner, guests will enjoy musical entertainment and professional yuletide guest portraits.
San Simeon, CA, Sept. 23, 2019 — The Foundation at Hearst Castle will host a glamorous Holiday Feast at Hearst Castle on Saturday, December 7th… just like William Randolph Hearst used to do decades ago.
The festively elegant evening will begin with a luxury coach ride to the hilltop castle, where guests will be welcomed with a sparkling wine reception on a heated terrace overlooking the renowned Neptune Pool, which reopened last Fall after a major restoration. Holiday revelers will continue to the iconic Refectory of William Randolph Hearst’s former estate for an epicurean feast to remember.
Mr. Hearst and architect Julia Morgan named the dining room after the word for a monastery’s dining hall. Its high windows, bright silk banners, and gleaming silver candlesticks convey the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, but the mustard and ketchup bottles show that Mr. Hearst liked to keep things informal at his ranch.
The Holiday Feast presents a rare opportunity to experience the legendary estate the way Mr. Hearst’s guests enjoyed it in the 1920s and 30s, albeit perhaps a bit more posh. The evening of December 7th will be drenched in history and a level of formality not often experienced on the Central Coast. No more than 75 guests will delight in this year’s fundraising fête.
Past menus have included hors d’oeuvres of lobster, foie gras and oysters, and courses of crispy duck confit with mushrooms and goat cheese, braised beef short rib with mascarpone polenta and gremolata, and a dessert of molten-center chocolate soufflé cake with espresso ice cream sandwich and bourbon- chocolate truffle. This year will serve equally impressive gourmet fare accompanied by fine wines.
This fundraising event is only open to members of The Foundation at Hearst Castle. Annual membership starts at $500/year or $42/month; however, anyone is welcome to become a member. Reservations for the Holiday Feast will be limited to 75 guests and require an additional donation of $1500/person until October 31st, when the requirement will increase.
This year, The Foundation is focused on raising funds for full-time conservation staff, as well as expanding their STEAM Program, designed to inspire underserved middle school students across California. The Holiday Feast — although sure to be absolutely luxurious — will be carefully produced to maximize net revenues while providing attendees the ultimate holiday experience at Hearst Castle.
The black-tie affair is limited to 75 guests. To make a reservation, click here. To become a member, click here.
About The Foundation
The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s mission is to support the conservation and restoration of Hearst Castle, and to offer youth programs for underserved middle school students — to enhance the appreciation of the art and architecture of this world-class museum and monument, ultimately enriching the visitor experience and inspiring future generations of visionaries.
The Foundation at Hearst Castle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association affiliated with Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument® and the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks. EIN 77-0068533.
- Using Hearst Castle to Inspire Kids – Michael Young, Executive Director (video)
- STEAM Program at the Castle (video)
Media Contact:
Tara Stephenson
Director of Development
(805) 245-4510
tara@foundationathearstcastle.com
A holiday-themed fundraising event, the Holiday Feast in Hearst Castle’s Refectory dining room is only open to members of The Foundation at Hearst Castle.
