GAIA HOTEL:TOP NOTCH BANQUET VENUE
INDUSTRY NEWS, REDDING LIFESTYLES, SHASTA COUNTY
December 13th, 2008
The Shasta Association of Realtors held their 80th Annual Christmas Party at the new Gaia Hotel in Anderson last night. Chef Jon Stadille presented fabulous Hawaiian fare to coincide with the “Season of Aloha” theme for this years installation/dinner dance. I have never had finer cuisine in the Northstate prepared for a crowd that topped 200 people.
A three-tiered appetizer spread greeted banquet 
attendees including skewered Beef Misoyaki and Chicken Yakitori stabbed in a pineapple half on the top tier. The second tier had fresh fruit and crudites, the bottom tier an assortment of fish including Ahi Sashimi, Lomi Lomi Salmon and Sushi Rolls.
The scrumptious salad included tangy noodles with coconut vinaigrette. Everyone was served a hot entree plate that included a variety of Hawaiian style dishes including Kalua Pig, Kalbi Ribs (phenomenal), Ezekas Chicken, potato mac, sticky rice and chicken long rice. The service staff was as excellent as the cuisine!
For dessert, each table was presented a whole Maui Christmas Haupla Cake which was cut and served with provided utensils by one volunteer dinner guest. During the meal service, entertainment was provided by Ke Aloha Polynesian ‘Ohana, a Hawaiian dance troupe from Palo Cedro. Charlie Ii and Wille Kong played Hawaiian sounds for the Polynesian dancers.
Dignitaries in attendance included termed out Assembyman Doug LaMalfa, Nadine Bailey on behalf of Senator Sam Aanestad and Anderson City Council Member Norma Comnick. Vince Malta, past president of the California Association of Realtors, drove from San Fransisco to install the 2009 Board of Directors for the local Realtor association. Vince, an avid baseball fan, wrote a reference book dedicated to baseball-used bats called LOUISVILLE SLUGGER. He brought a few copies of the book as gifts to several attendees. Thanks Vince!
The esteemed Realtor of the Year Award was bestowed upon my colleague at Real Estate Professionals GMAC, Donna McFarlane. Mary Spence, of Coldwell Banker C&C Properties was installed as 2009 President of the Shasta Association of Realtors.
I believe this was the first banquet at Gaia where the food was prepared on site by the Gaia’s restaurant staff. I was told many of the entrees will be on the menu when they open the restaurant to the public in the very near future. Anyone seeking a top notch banquet facility to host a business function may want to give Gaia a try. This was hands down the best Inaugural Dinner function I have attended in 25 years in Redding! Everyone I spoke to about the fare felt the same way. My compliments to the chef and all his staff that made this a memorable evening!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
