ABImages 2019
Celebrities, chefs, celebrity chefs and guests dined and drank at the 11th annual LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser, which raised more than $1.4 million for pediatric cancer research, at UCLA on Saturday.
Supporters who gathered to raise money through live and silent auctions included “Ted Lasso” star Christo Fernandez, Timothy Olyphant, Melanie Lynskey, Jason Ritter, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Joe Mantegna and “Criminal Minds.” -Star Kirsten Vangsness.
“The food is delicious and there is a good atmosphere, and we also support childhood cancer,” said Fernandez. “Everything I tried was so good, so international.” The “Ted Lasso” star, Dani Rojas, said one of the highlights for him was Ludo Lefebvre’s tapioca bites, which were served by the children of the celebrated Frenchman Chefs operating the fryers while he was out of town.
For the first time since before the pandemic, more than 100 chefs, mixologists and winemakers served creative flavors at the event hosted by Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne along with David Lentz on the sunny Royce Quad lawn. Jay and Liz Scott, parents of the late Alex Scott, who founded Alex’s Lemonade Stand as a fundraiser when she was just 4 years old, gave an inspirational speech about the charity’s mission and achievements.
Bidders at the live auction raised over $370,000 for prizes including tickets to see Taylor Swift in New Orleans, Super Bowl tickets and dinner with Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly and their favorite chefs. The Women Chefs Dinner, which featured winemakers and chefs including Suzanne Goin, Nancy Silverton, Giada de Laurentiis, April Bloomfield and Caroline Styne, raised a record $150,000.
Standout flavors included Providence and Connie & Ted’s Chef Michael Cimarusti’s Shrimp Dogs, Adam Perry Lang’s Grilled Beef Brisket, which is always in high demand, Chris Bianco’s Lemon Pizza, David Lentz and Sea Stephanie’s Sea Urchin, Bestia’s Spicy Shrimp and Lark Chanterelle Yakitori Seattle and ceviche tostada from Bricia Lopez from Guelaguetza. Although temperatures weren’t as high as previous years, Hoxie spritzers cooled down the spicier dishes, while cocktail lovers enjoyed Thunderbolt’s watermelon margaritas and wine lovers sampled wines from Wavy Wines, Holus Bolus, Hitching Post and many others.
(Pictured: Caroline Goin, Timothy Olyphant and Christo Fernandez)
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