Jessica RitzJust when fatigue and perhaps even some cynicism about the year's parade of splashy food events starts to set in, along comes along a fundraiser with enough heart, spirit and dynamite food made by superstar chefs to vanquish any disenchantment. Even the sun came out at the last minute for the second L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade benefit at the Culver Studios yesterday. Hosts Suzanne Goin, David Lentz and Caroline Styne with their crew of entertainment boldfaced names and coterie of vintner and kitchen pro friends — many of whom flew in from around the country — had their priorities straight.
This party wasn't about nibbling on bites while a shiny new model car sits on display. And in the end, despite the ridiculously sloppy grass and mud (most useful item: galoshes), the benefit for Alex's Lemonade Stand foundation to battle childhood cancer got stunning L.A. post-rain, almost lemonade-worthy weather.
Lentz, Goin and Styne, with emcee Jimmy Kimmel and Alex's parents, Liz and Jay Scott.
The organization was founded in 2000 by four-year-old neuroblastoma patient Alex Scott who held a lemonade stand in Connecticut to raise money for doctors to help other kids with cancer. When a private dinner for 12 cooked by Goin and her pals Alice Waters, Nancy Silverton, Sherry Yard and Giada de Laurentiis with wines from Cold Heaven Cellars and Colgin Cellars, plus 2000 Dom, goes for over $60,000 at live auction, clearly this crowd is dedicated to the food and the cause.
Turn the page for more photos of Sunday's event.
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's grilled quail with plum char siu, apple and yogurt.
Erin Alperin (at left) and the Varnish's punch with Brugal Añejo rum, John D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum, Grand Marnier, lemon and Angostura bitters.
L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade also loves cocktails with block ice and power tools.
Some actual lemonade.
Gilbert Pilgram of Zuni's albacore with frekeh, black limes, saffron, mint and Aleppo pepper.
Michael Cimarusti of Providence serving New England clam chowda with Grandma Jo's clam cakes.
April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig, the Breslin and John Dory in NYC.
Anthony Keene of Gordon Ramsay at the London's octopus in mid-char for salad with potatoes, celery and anchovy vinaigrette.
Huckleberry and Sweet Rose Creamery dessert spread by Zoe Nathan and Shiho Yoshikawa.
Gabrielle Hamilton serves radish, shaved fennel and celery salad with Valdeón cheese toasts.
Event greeters.
Sotto's pork belly porcetto slab waiting to be joined with myrtle and quince mostarda.
Paul Kahan and Brian Huston's (Blackbird, Avec, the Publican) pork belly on grilled flatbread.
Jonathan Waxman takes a quick break from raw vegetable and blood orange salad.
Maria Hines from Seattle (Tilth and Golden Beetle) with corned beef, crispy shallots, cabbage and fingerlings.
Jonathan Grahm of Compartes.
Gelato Bar's Gail Silverton and Joel Gutman.
Apron decorating in the kids' craft tent.
Follow Jessica Ritz @TasterTotsLA
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.