Michele StuevenCalling all fans of the 90s! Hormel Foods is kicking off the holiday entertaining season with a virtual celeb-filled, throwback Friendsgiving, featuring Carson Kressley, Joey Fatone, Boyz II Men and other famous friends live on YouTube, Tuesday, November 24.
Celeb-host and entertaining expert Paul Zahn will start the evening, which begins at 8 p.m. The celebration will include:
- Welcome and drink demo by host, Paul Zahn
- Tablescape tutorial and other decorating advice with Carson Kressley
- Charcuterie lesson with Evan Inada, from Columbus Craft Meats
- Turkey cooking demo with Food Network Champ Chef Lamar Moore
- Music by Taylor Dayne
- Appearance by Karen Huger, Real Housewife Potomac
- Games and entertainment ideas with Joey Fatone
- Dessert recipe demo with Food Network Host Chef Grace Ramirez
- Musical finale with Boyz II Men
For 23 years, Gobble Gobble Give has delivered food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless across the country on Thanksgiving morning. Thanks to a generous donation from Beyond Meatthis year and a partnership with the Hollywood Food Coalition, they will host an expansive outdoor donation operation on the campus of Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood to continue their efforts of ensuring a Covid-safe platform for the annual event that feeds over 10,000 just in Los Angeles each year.
This year, Gobble Give Los Angeles will take place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26 at 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. Volunteers will again donate food and clothing, to be distributed via volunteers to those living on the streets. To ensure the safety of volunteers, people are encouraged to make monetary donations to purchase prepared food on the Gobble Gobble Give website.
Pizzette at the Citizen Public Market (Wonho Frank Lee)
Citizen Public Market, formerly the Citizen Publishing Company Building, which has been an architectural landmark in Culver City since it opened in 1929, re-opened its doors in downtown Culver City as an expansive 8,000 square-foot food hall. Residents so far include goodboybob; Coffee Roaster and Cafe, Pizzette (Nancy Silverton’s first stateside fast casual concept), and The WEHO Sausage Co. The concept is a walk-in / walk-out style floorplan with a two-level indoor, outdoor and rooftop space.
Randy’s Donuts has Thanksgiving Donuts available at all locations from Monday, November 23 – Saturday, November 29, while supplies last. The raised glazed are covered in chocolate icing and topped with Reese’s Pieces. The grand opening of Randy’s in Torrance takes place from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, and all guests receive a free raised glazed donut from 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. Guests who follow Randy’s Donuts on Instagram – @randysdonuts – will receive a free raised glazed donut from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
To celebrate the premiere of Peacock’s highly anticipated original series Saved by the Bell, Postmates and NBCUniversal’s streaming platform announced a partnership that will bring the iconic show to life with a virtual pop-up restaurant offering in Los Angeles. Exclusively on Postmates for one day only on November 25, fans will be treated to lunch for free, including free delivery, plus special Saved by the Bell swag. The Saved by the Bell restaurant will open at noon on November 25 while supplies last (first come, first served). On Postmates, customers can order a cheeseburger or a fried chicken sandwich and each will come with French fries, a pickle, a cookie and Saved by the Bell surprises.
Carniceria (Courtesy El Fresco Farms)
El Fresco Farms, a community first market, opens Wednesday, December 2 in the city of Carson in the Avalon plaza. The market will provide affordable and fresh produce and quality meats to a traditionally underserved community, with an emphasis on Mexican specialties and competitively priced items. In addition to providing more than 50 jobs for the local community the 24,825 square-foot market will offer a full-service carniceria featuring 60-foot case of rare cuts and seafood, a full-service hot foods section and bakery offering international bread like Bolillo from Central America and Mexico and prepared foods such as carne asada, rotisserie chicken, chicharrón, beans and rice. Plans for El Fresco Farms include a socially distanced tram service to provide transportation assistance for the local housing community.
What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the LA Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink.
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