South Bay charity offers tasty way to give back during holidays

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- There is no shortage of ways to give during the holidays, and a local charity in the South Bay is offering a tasty way to give back.

The original Sandpipers were women who anonymously left baskets of necessities to families in need during the great depression. They're still at it today.

"Sandpipers began back in 1931 and it was actually started by a group of women who wanted to help those in need in the South Bay," said Jennifer Dunbar, Sandpipers member.

"It's all women. There are over 700 members in Sandpipers, 150 of them are actively giving to the community," Dunbar said.

The charity's most recent effort is a coffee table cookbook called, "Tastes of the South Bay," which features notable South Bay chefs.

The Sandpipers wanted sophisticated recipes, but they also wanted to make sure they were doable for the home chef. The pros behind the cookbook met the challenge.

"Whatever we can do to help. It's a great way to give back," said Chef Laura Mandracchia, owner of the Cake Bakeshop in Manhattan Beach. She contributed her French Lemon Weekend Cake recipe to the cookbook.

Greg Hozinsky, chef and co-owner of The Strand House, likes the minimal approach with his bouillabaisse.

"It's almost like a one-pan thing, and it's something you can do in a large quantity, it's great for having parties," said Hozinsky, who was included in Zagat's "30 Under 30."

You can make your home-cooked version look just like a restaurant's by adding crostini and squeezing dots of aioli and fresh herbs.

"Top Chef" contestant Brooke Williamson's recipe features oysters with bread crumbs, quinoa and toasted prosciutto.

"Baking them or grilling them or cooking them or frying them is the best way to take away that sort of slightly frightening texture," said Williamson, who is a chef at Playa Provisions in Playa del Rey.

The cookbook encompasses 14 restaurants, 16 chefs and about 150 recipes, with all of the proceeds going to those in need.

"We're a 100-percent volunteer organization that gives back 100 percent to the South Bay community," said Dunbar.

The Sandpipers' 'Tastes of the South Bay' retails for $50.