There are only a few events per year that manage to convince a sizable number of L.A.'s top restaurants to come together under one roof and serve their most popular dishes (see also: L.A. Weekly's Essentials this Sunday). But there's only one that supports the noble yet very un-food-like cause of reproductive health care services.

What started in 1979 as a cooking demonstration for Julia Child has morphed over the years into Planned Parenthood Los Angeles' annual Food Fare event, which for its 36th year is again hosting some of the city's most prominent chefs, caterers, wineries, breweries and vendors to serve and chat with Planned Parenthood supporters at its food-centric fundraiser. The event — which takes place in a decommissioned airplane hangar — is always a splendidly unexpected cross-section of L.A. talent and eats. 

Among the dozens of restaurants participating this year are: Angelini Osteria, Salt’s Cure, Chichen Itza, MexiKosher, Little Beast Restaurant, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Boneyard Bistro, Pinches Tacos, BOA Steakhouse, Umami Burger, The Grilled Cheese Truck, James' Beach, Blue Plate Oysterette and Sushi Roku. For dessert, there's confections from Sugar Rush, Beachy Cream, Pazzo Gelato, Valerie Confections, Jamaica’s Cakes, Sweet Lady Jane, and more.

Over 100 local chefs will be on hand throughout the fundraiser's daytime and evening sessions, and Food Fare will be honoring its 2015 Chefs of the Year: Top Chef Seattle runner-up Brooke Williamson and her husband Nick Roberts, whose three L.A. restaurants — Playa Provisions, Hudson House and The Tripel — will be serving dishes at the event. A beer garden (this year curated by L.A.'s own The Beer Chicks) will be pouring brews from local craft breweries, and California wine and spirit makers will also be on hand. Perhaps that might help loosen those wallets for the raffle and silent auction, which offer a chance to win culinary experiences such as Paso Robles wine tours, a private dinner for 10 at Drago Centro and  

Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles' Food Fare will be held Thursday, March 5, at Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave #203, Santa Monica; tickets will be $175 at the door for the daytime session and $275 for the evening session.

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