Movable Feast Headed to Laguna Niguel School

Looking for something fun to do Saturday other than going to the beach? How about going to school?

On Saturday, chef Azmin Ghahreman of Sapphire Laguna in Laguna Beach is hosting the Sapphire Food Fare at

The chef and what is billed as "more than a farmers market—it's a culinary experience" are headed to the Laguna Niguel private school at 32451 Bear Brand Rd. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We're not talking about bags of frozen peas here. Sapphire Food Fare will offer items including farm-fresh produce and herbs, artisanal breads, cheeses and chocolates, organic grass-fed beef, fresh seafood and local honey. Chefs will be on hand to demonstrate recipes and provide samplings; nutritionists and health experts will be available to share advice to the whole family about how to eat better.

“It has been a dream of mine to bring a food fair to the community that goes beyond selling only food and produce but also allows people to learn,” said Ghahreman. “I want people to walk away with a better understanding of how to incorporate fresh ingredients together, as well as be inspired to bring healthy and nutritional food to the dinner table.”

Also on hand will be local farms such as: Got Thyme, Jaime Farms, Garcia Organic Farms, Wong Farms, Fat Uncle Farms, Weiser Family Farms, Hay Ground Organic Gardening.  For meat and seafood: Santa Monica Seafood, Newport Meat Co. For specialty foods: Sapphire Pantry, Picket Lane Bakery, Chocolate Soldier. And for exercise: TaeKwonDoJang.

Azmin and his program, Sapphire at School, have worked with St. Anne School since February 2009. His program provides students at local schools with a fresh and healthy hand-crafted selection of breakfast, snack and lunch options.

“The Sapphire Food Fare is an opportunity to complete the loop in our partnership with parents, students and schools to eat healthy and live a healthier lifestyle,” said Randy Adams, headmaster at St. Anne School. “It’s a great opportunity for our school and our community to come together and explore the many healthy foods and delicious recipes available to us and the Sapphire Food Fare is just one more step in the right direction.”

Azmin said he strives to teach kids about food from the ground up—about balance and portion control; bright, natural flavors in fresh fruits and vegetables; intelligent alternatives to fatty snacks; and that food is a fuel.

Through his program Sapphire at School launched in 2007, he aims to provide a fresh and healthy alternative to the standard institutional and fast-food fare that has resulted in a generation of overweight children. The program is based primarily on the Mediterranean food pyramid, using heart-healthy foods, which produce meals that are not only nutritious, but taste good as well.