What This Year’s Grit City Gala Served Up

Driving through downtown Tacoma last night, it would’ve been hard to miss the Grit City Gala, for which more than 250 guests gathered along Broadway.

An annual fundraiser and celebration supporting the Tacoma Farmers Market, the event brings together local farmers, businesses, community members, and market supporters for a dinner so large it takes over an entire street.

As guests lined up for check-in, they were offered charcuterie prepared by aHHA Snack Cart, which put together a fitting selection of fresh fruits, cheeses, and meats that set the tone for the meal to come. Once seated, attendees sipped Pimienta Bistro’s signature sangria and wines as conversations and anticipation for the evening’s meal filled the street, accompanied by Latin-inspired music from DJ Khyree Hart.

The first course was toastaditas topped with market goods, including beans, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, and goat cheese, finished with a balsamic drizzle.

That was followed by the Pimienta salad, made with organic mixed greens, fresh berries, and a champagne vinaigrette.

The communal nature of the evening really came through once the main course was served. Paella Valenciana arrived in cast-iron pans at each table. Guests served themselves family-style, enjoying homemade beef chorizo, chicken, shrimp, scallops, and clams. A side of corn on the cob with truffle oil and Parmesan rounded out the meal.

As the crowd quieted down to eat, Alma Villegas, the evening’s host, introduced Ben Mauk, president of the Tacoma Farmers Market board, for some remarks.

“Take a minute, look around your table, look at your neighbors and your guests and think about what we’ve created here. This is a moment of joy, this is a moment of caring, and this is a moment of community,” Mauk said.

“I look around and I see people who believe in Tacoma,” he continued. “I see people who understand the importance of connections to local farms and providing access to healthy and fresh food. I see people who understand that Tacoma’s Farmers Market is something that needs to be treasured, and nourished, and grown.”

After dinner came an assortment of gourmet pastries prepared by Bon Larder Bakery. Among them was a strawberry cupcake, which was every bit as good as a strawberry cupcake has any right to be.

During dessert, Villegas and Grit City Gala Chair Cathy Satava opened community donations, inviting guests to raise their paddles in support of the Tacoma Farmers Market.

Some donation levels included raffle entries, with prizes ranging from Tacoma Farmers Market gift cards and swag bags to a coveted bottle of Colibri Tequila from Pimienta Bistro, a drink of Chef Blanca Rodriguez’s design.

As donations wrapped up, the music grew louder and the stage became a dance floor. Before the evening came to a close, Satava shared how grateful she was to see the event thriving in its fifth year, especially after the gala was put on pause during the pandemic and organizers have since been working to rebuild momentum.

“The highlight is the community support, the obvious commitment that the city, our elected officials, other government entities — that they’re actually invested in what we do down here,” she said. “And it makes a difference for the vitality of the downtown corridor, because this does matter. It brings life.”