California Roast

Each year, friends and friendly foes of one of California’s top elected officials gather to pay “respect” to that year’s Honoree. Their humorous and edgy crossfire provides insights about the history, present day and future of California politics. The Roast attracts national press attention and has become a Sacramento political institution. Proceeds benefit Capitol Focus and California Center Youth Programs. Click here to download our form and reserve your seat for the 2013 California Roast!!

History of the Roast

The Roast is a festive bi-partisan tradition that began in 1982 to pay tribute to California’s most respected political leaders. The Roast attracts seven hundred or more persons each year including lobbyists and their employers, legislators and their staff, executive branch officials, political and public affairs consultants, friends and supporters of the Roastee, and others. Attendees enjoy the sometimes edgy, but good-natured exchange between the panelists and Roastee, and the institutional history conveyed during those exchanges. Participants are encouraged to set a humorous, but dignified tone (with just a few slips here and there). The best Roasts of the past featured timely insights into the dynamics and personalities affecting the legislative and budget-making and political processes of that moment. The event attracts positive statewide and national media attention for the Roastee.

This Years Honoree:

Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield was elected to the State Assembly in 2008.  He represents the 45th Assembly District, which spans the northwest portion of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, including the communities of Bell Canyon, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Hidden Hills, Northridge, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.

Considered a “pragmatic progressive,” Bob has a solid track record of bringing people together to reach consensus-based solutions to difficult issues.  As a lawmaker, Bob has fought for the Valley, state budget reform, and technology modernization as a tool to make our air cleaner and our schools better.  As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, his efforts have brought California to its best budget forecast in a decade, having gone from record deficits to projected surpluses.

Bob is a graduate of Duke University and the UCLA Anderson School of Management Business Executive Program.  He is 45 years old and lives in Woodland Hills with his wife, Kafi, and their two children, Nia and Obi.  Kafi Blumenfield is President of the Liberty Hill Foundation.

As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Bob is a champion for Cal Grant student loans for low-income students, and he fought to protect domestic violence shelters and safety net programs that help senior citizens stay in their homes and out of nursing homes.  He has also been a vocal opponent of proposals to eliminate crucial health and social services programs.  Bob led the fight to preserve the Adult Day Health Care program.  Using his knowledge of the federal government, Bob is also a leading voice for bringing more federal dollars to California.

From 1989 – 1996, Bob worked in Washington, DC as a staff member in the offices of Senator Bill Bradley, Congressman Howard Berman and the House Budget Committee.  He later worked as Director of Government Affairs for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and then as district director to Congressman Berman in the San Fernando Valley.