A summer dinner curated by Jen Bogan

It was a gray, misty day in Santa Barbara, the sun fighting to break through the clouds. By evening, just in time for our dinner party hosted by Jen Bogan, the light finally appeared, filling the garden with a soft, golden glow. This gathering was made possible thanks to the warmth and vision of our host Jen, the artistry of jewelry designer Jeanna Delgado of Perlina Designs, the delicious craft of chef Reiana Onglengco from Ojai Roots, the stunning eye of photographer Elisabeth Messina, and the wisdom of our founder, Tammy Demos.

A Thoughtful Welcome

At Jen’s Montecito home, guests were greeted with a beautifully curated tablescape in her backyard: wildflowers hand-picked that morning, hand-lettered place cards, and an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. As everyone settled in, Jeanna Delgado of Perlina Designs offered permanent gold bracelets with pearls or birthstones. Based in Santa Barbara, Jeanna creates timeless, hand-made pieces inspired by the natural beauty of the ocean, using gold-filled and solid gold materials, often highlighted with freshwater pearls.

Skincare that Starts with Nutrition

As conversations bloomed, Tammy Demos, founder of KLEOS+KLEA, shared her philosophy on skin health. When asked, “What do you mean our skin can be healed with nutrients?” Tammy explained: just as our bodies need real, whole foods, so does our skin. KLEOS+KLEA was founded on this belief, to create products that aren’t just about fragrance or texture, but about long-term skin health, using nutrient-dense ingredients that honor the earth.

A Feast from the Garden

When dinner began, Jen introduced our chef, Reiana Onglengco from Ojai Roots. What started as a healing garden during lockdown has grown into a thriving regenerative farm, with farm boxes, community dinners, and a local shop, all built on a philosophy of sustainable, seasonal, and soil-first farming. Everything on the menu was fresh from their garden, reflecting the same commitment to purity and nature that guides KLEOS+KLEA.

We opened with homemade bread and butter with edible nasturtium flowers, simple, striking, and full of flavor. Then came chilled tomato soup, drizzled with Ojai Roots olive oil and finished with an edible flower. Bright vegetable dips followed: tomato, carrot, and beet, beaming with color.

The mains were equally thoughtful: artichoke bean dip, a crunchy mix of edamame and celery tossed in fresh pesto, roasted kale with butter beans, beets and zucchini with cheese, and quinoa layered with tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. To finish, creamy avocado ice cream topped with perfectly ripe berries, a sweet nod to nature’s richness.

Capturing the Evening

Throughout the night, Elisabeth Messina captured every detail and quiet moment in her signature style, tender, luminous, and deeply human. Renowned for her natural-light photography, Elisabeth brings emotional honesty and timeless beauty to every frame.

A Shared Philosophy

This dinner wasn’t just a meal; it was a celebration of what can happen when beauty, nourishment, and sustainability come together. Rooted in respect for nature and guided by care, the evening reminded us that true health and beauty always begin with what’s real, pure, and grown from the earth.