Guests enjoy Teen Kitchen Project's farm-to-table fundraising dinner at Everett Family Farm in Soquel

Guests enjoy a healthy and tasty meal prepared by teenagers...

Diners enjoy a healthy and tasty meal prepared by teen chefs under the direction of Chef John Paul Lechtenberg Saturday during a fundraiser for the Teen Kitchen Project at the Everett Family Farm in Soquel. The Teen Kitchen Project is a local nonprofit that delivers more than 3,000 meals a week to clients in Santa Cruz County who are facing serious and chronic illnesses. The meals are prepared by teens who learn healthy cooking skills, learn about the impact of their food choices and are given the opportunity to connect through community service. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Young chefs, from left to right dressed in white, Isabela Hamilton, Matthis Newbold,...

Young chefs, from left, dressed in white, Isabela Hamilton, Matthis Newbold, Amira Parsons, Chiara Benoit and Myles Newbold prepare rice pudding desserts topped with poached apples from Everett Family Farm and pumpkin seed crumble during Saturday’s dinner with chef John Paul Lechtenberg. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Teen Kitchen's young chef Marianna Mendez-Avila serves up lacinato kale...

Teen Kitchen young chef Marianna Mendez-Avila serves a lacinato kale Caesar salad with Grana Padano cheese, anchovy vinaigrette and croutons. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Myles Newbold works alongside young chefs Amira Parsons, Chiara Benoit...

Myles Newbold works with young chefs Amira Parsons, Chiara Benoit and Tanvi Tyagi to prepare New-Girl tomato salads with corn, mint, basil, extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar for diners at the Everett Family Farm. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Dusk falls on the partying guests at the Everett Family Farm in...

Dusk falls on party-goers at the Everett Family Farm in Soquel Saturday for a gala benefit for the Teen Kitchen Project. A total of 150 attendees enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner featuring fresh produce from the Everett Family Farm and grilled local rock cod donated by Ocean 2 Table, prepared by the Teen Kitchen Project’s young chefs under the direction of local chef John Paul Lechtenberg. The Teen Kitchen Project delivers more than 3,000 meals a week to clients in Santa Cruz County facing critical and chronic illnesses, and funds raised will help support the Teen Kitchen Project’s weekly program. It engages 46 teens (60 percent paid staff and 40 percent volunteers) in preparing nutritious, dietitian-approved meals for more than 360 people in Santa Cruz County. Angela Farley founded the Teen Kitchen Project in 2012 after her son’s battle with childhood cancer. Donating meals prepared during this difficult time inspired her to give the same gift to others facing a health crisis. Her son left treatment in May 2012 with a good prognosis and is now a healthy teenager. Farley, who believes that “food is love,” said, “We continue to succeed by providing delicious, healthy meals delivered to their homes while helping youth learn lifelong skills in healthy cooking and eating. Teens learn healthy cooking skills, learn the impact of their food choices, and are given the opportunity to connect through community service.” (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Teen Kitchen Project Board President Amanda Rotella helps serve Fasolakia of Summer Beans at her table. On Saturday, the traditional Greek dish featured Romano and yellow beans braised in a rich, herby tomato sauce. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)