The 26th annual Malibu Cook’s Tour, which is the primary fundraiser for the Malibu Methodist Nursery School, takes place this weekend.
By Michael Aushenker / Special to The Malibu Times
The 26th annual Malibu Cook’s Tour returns to town on Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., four private Malibu homes and their gardens will be open to the public for self-guided tours. The tour, which costs $60 and is limited to 350 participants, helps to raise money to benefit the Malibu Methodist Nursery School. Docents will be present at each location to give information about the residences, and each home will feature themed gift baskets from local chefs and musical entertainment.
The tour is an important one for the nursery school, as it raises $20,000 annually for childcare and preschool and also funds the purchase of permanent equipment at the school. The proceeds go to the school’s scholarship program, which allows families who need childcare and preschool but cannot afford it to attend the school.
The event is truly a group effort, as parents enlist to serve as docents on the ritzy tour.
“Every family sends one person to work to volunteer that day,” says Kay Gabbard, director of the pre-school. “For me, it’s a way to get parents together for a lovely event that helps our school.”
Gabbard, a 36-year resident of Malibu Park, helped come up with the idea for the tour almost 30 years ago, when a parent suggested there must be ways to help raise money for the school for needed equipment. Twenty-six years later, and 105 extraordinary homes have opened their doors for the school.
This year features four houses ranging from Cape Cod-style to California Contemporary and spread out across town from Point Dume to the Ventura County line. Two of the homes are owned by local architects. One features the new architectural style called “Classical Progression,” which is considered a mix of classic and contemporary.
Guests to this home will enjoy the antique car collection in the garage, as well as taking in some smooth jazz music in the front garden, which abuts a nearby creek bed.
Another home is a re-creation of a classic 18th century French chateau, which the owners were inspired to build after a trip to the south of France.
Each home will feature a different caterer, with chefs from local restaurants such as Tra di Noi and chocolatiers Cacao Luxe, and Casa Escobar of Westlake. Caramel-covered strawberries made by local Malibuites are also on the menu, as well as Mother’s Day gift baskets packed with wine and cheese, created by Mia Quittman.
Gabbard says the chocolates will be available at one of the homes, which is located on the beach.
“They’re literally encouraged to take off their shoes and walk in the sand and have their chocolates,” she said.
The tour starts Saturday morning at Malibu Methodist Church and Nursery School, located at 30128 Morning View Drive. To reserve a space or for more information, call 310.457.5144.