This is seriously near and dear to my heart. If you're looking for plans this weekend, look no further than L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Culinary Cookout this Sunday, Nov. 6 at Culver Studios. Host chefs Susanne Goin, Caroline Styne (Lucques, Tavern, A.O.C.), and David Lentz (The Hungry Cat), along with honorary hosts Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, and emcee Jimmy Kimmel are using food as a weapon in the fight against children's cancer.
But most importantly, 100% of proceeds from each tax-deductible $175 General Admission and $400 VIP ticket will go to fund Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. I know, I know -- the tickets are anything but cheap, but here's the deal. As someone who has visited Cedars Sinai's Samuel Oschin Cancer Center nearly 100 times in the past two and a half years, I can't explain the gut-wrenching feeling you get when you see a small child suffering from cancer. That's not to take away anything from how hard it is to watch my own husband get poked, prodded and hooked up to chemotherapy infusions, but to watch the tear-streaked cheeks of a 3, 4 or 8 year-old child who has to endure painful shots, losing their hair, and endless rounds of medication is beyond heartbreaking.Cancer in any form is horrendous. It steals our most loved ones right before our eyes, much too soon and far too fast. We need to find a cure and we need to find it now. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer is trying to do just that. That said, is $175 a lot for a food event ticket? Sure, it's up there. But is $175 a lot when it comes to giving someone's child, someone's little brother or sister, or your child's best friend another chance at a long life? I don't think so.
If you need extra incentive, let me drop a few names of the participating celeb chefs and mixologists to tantalize your taste buds (and loosen that grip on your wallet):
- Eric Alperin (Los Angeles, CA) – The Varnish
- April Bloomfield (New York, NY) – The Spotted Pig
- Neal Bodenheimer (New Orleans, LA) - CURE
- Michael Cimarusti (Los Angeles, CA) – Providence
- Giada De Laurentiis representative (Los Angeles, CA) – Giada At Home, Everyday Italian
- Vinny Dotolo (Los Angeles, CA) – Animal
- Danny Elmaleh (Los Angeles, CA) - SBE's Restaurant Portfolio
- Neal Fraser (Los Angeles, CA) - Grace
- Suzanne Goin (Los Angeles, CA) – Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern
- Hedy Goldsmith (Miami, FL) – Michael’s Genuine
- Gabrielle Hamilton (New York, NY) – Prune
- Jonathan Grahm (Los Angeles, CA) – Compartes Chocolatier
- Maria Hines (Seattle, WA) – Tilth
- Brian Huston (Chicago, IL) – The Publican
- Paul Kahan (Chicago, IL) – Blackbird, avec, The Publican
- Tony Keene (West Hollywood, CA) – Gordon Ramsay at the London
- David Lentz (Los Angeles, CA) – The Hungry Cat
- Greg Lindgren (San Francisco, CA) – Rye on the Road
- Joseph Manzare (San Francisco, CA) – Globe
- Jeff Michaud (Philadelphia, PA ) - Osteria
- Matt Molina (Los Angeles, CA) – Mozza
- Russell Moore (Oakland, CA) – Camino
- Zoe Nathan (Santa Monica, CA) – Huckleberry
- Christina Olufson (Los Angeles, CA) – Lucques
- Lachlan Patterson (Boulder, CO) – Frasca Food and Wine
- Gilbert Pilgram (San Francisco, CA) – Zuni
- Zach Pollack (Los Angeles, CA) – Sotto
- Steve Samson (Los Angeles, CA) - Sotto
- Jon Shook (Los Angeles, CA) - Animal
- Nancy Silverton (Los Angeles, CA) – Mozza
- Susan Spicer (New Orleans, LA) – Bayona
- Stephen Stryjewski (New Orleans, LA) – Cochon and Butcher
- Johnathan Sundstrom (Seattle, WA) – Lark, Licorous
- Michael Tusk (San Francisco, CA) – Quince
- Marc Vetri (Philadelphia, PA) – Amis, Osteria, Vetri
- Jonathan Waxman (New York, NY) – Barbuto
- Shiho Yoshikawa (Los Angeles, CA) – Sweet Rose Creamery
- Gail Silverton/Joel Gutman (Los Angeles, CA) – Gelato Bar
That's quite a list, isn't it? Practically a who's who of Top Chef Masters contestants. However, I certainly can't forget the vintners. After all, what else would there possibly be to pair with all that fabulous food? Here are just a few of the winemakers who have generously donated their time and wine to the event:
- Alta Maria
- Bonaccorsi
- Dragonette
- Elizabeth Spencer Wines
- Grassini Family Vineyards
- Hollywood & Wine
- Inception Wines
- Jorian Hill
- Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
- La Fenêtre
- Lang & Reed
- Lioco
- Martian Ranch
- Melville Vineyards
- Penfolds
- Presqu'ile Winery
- Preston Vineyards
- The Rare Wine Company
- Stephen Ross Wine Cellars
- Villa Creek
- Click here for the full list
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| 2010 LASF Event |
Exclusive invite to Chefs dinner featuring menu by Nancy Silverton and Marc Vetri to be held the evening of Saturday, November 5, 2011.
Dinner includes: meet-and-greet with chefs and exclusive beverage tastings
Early admission/first-taste opportunity at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade
Admission to VIP seating area at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade
Admission to After Party at The Hungry Cat
Early admission/first-taste opportunity at LALAL. Admission to VIP seating area.
Tasting of Chefs Signature Dishes, Open Bar
Includes drinks and select food at The Hungry Cat, Santa Monica, from 4pm to 12am
Can't attend but want to help? Make a donation to ALSF help stop childhood cancer here. All major credit cards are accepted.
L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Culinary Cookout
When: Sunday November 6, 2011 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Lawn of Culver Studios, Culver Studios, Culver City, CA 90232. View map.
Website: www.alexslemonade.org
Twitter: @alexslemonade
Website: www.alexslemonade.org
Twitter: @alexslemonade
Parking: Valet is available at the event. Parking is available inside the Trader Joe's parking structure on Ines Street. Please do not park in surrounding neighborhoods.
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